A Cracker of a Pipit

Following on from Nigel and Sissel's excellent success this week they did have one stand out bird which we felt deserved a post all to itself. Nigel tells us the story.

I was playing sound for Olive-backed Pipit down in Dingley Dell (a particular net ride that was christened "Dingley Dell" by the Belvide Ringers team during their stay) and did my usual check and could see this pipit on the bottom shelf which had white wing bars.  Feeling a little excited and making sure it did not escape and put it in a bird bag as quick as I could.

On getting back to the ringing table, I knew I had a good bird but there are a couple of birds that fit this type of species the most common being Red-throated Pipit which is a local breeding species. 

I took a few biometrics and photos.  I had an idea the bird in question was a Pechora Pipit, but to double check I put the photos on the national bird recording system with a query. This allows others to verify and contribute to identity and with an hour I had confirmation. This bird is the first for Finnmark!

Key features:-
Primary feathers  longer that tertials - Red-throated has tertials same length as primaries.
Double white wing bars.
Broad cream/whitish tram lines on mantle.
5th primary feather shorter that 4th.
White belly against buff breast.
Fairly large pinkish bill - Red-throat smaller.
5th tail feather has a lot more white than Red-throated.
Also, Red-throated has a black streak on the longest undertail coverts (useful feature).


We look forward to hear what else may be caught by the team!

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