Dark-eyed Junco (get magnifying glass ready!!! :) )

[Catherine]

Dropped by at Hawkhill Inclosure today. It was latish in the afternoon, so the sun was low and created an amber light.

First is the clearing, with a fallen tree in the mid-background.



Second pic shows the Junco to the right of the middle.



Third one shows the bird having landed on the rhs of the tree stump, and...



the last shot shows it eating the seeds birdwatchers have put down for it!



(I hope Glen will take his camera with him next time! )

[rolf]

Don't worry about the size of the bird in the shots Catherine, a great lifetime record of a rare bird and easily recognised.

[Catherine]

I think you flatter me there, Rolf, but it's good to read anyway!

[boblong]

That's such a rare bird for me, I had to go and look it up!

[Catherine]

I have to admit that we'd really been out for the day to view the new 'Bond in Action' exhibition of cars, etc. at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, and only popped in at the inclosure on our way back - to see if the Junco was there!

As the sun had become really low, we met many birdwatchers leaving the scene, but the two who remained and spoke to us were very helpful indeed. The lady allowed me to view the bird through her scope - so I could at least locate it on the tree in the far background of the clearing. The gentleman gave more information, and told me when the Junco was near. He also pointed out Crossbills on a tree and Reed Buntings and Chaffinches on the ground.

The lady had come from the Spanish Sparrow 'twitch' at Calshot (not far away), where there seemed to be fewer birdwatchers than on previous days. She saw three 'hybrid' Sparrows before she saw the Spanish one, but was especially delighted when the owner of the garden asked he into the kitchen to view them from close at hand!

[boblong]

All names very familiar to me, Catherine, having spent my first 18 years there (Blackfield).

Bob.

[ladylouise62]

Wow, a real 'foreigner'. I'd never heard of it, but on checking up, it's a Sparrow - I've got 20 or so Sparrows in my garden, so "Pah!!" I'll just have to go out with a can of grey spray paint and I'll be fine

[Catherine]

Louise - you wouldn't, would you? -

Yes, he's a kind of Sparrow/Finch/Bunting/other, but gets his name from the reeds he normally lives amongst.

I like the info on this page - Dark-eyed Junco, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

And here is one 'in the flesh' - or ''feathers'! - Plump Dark-eyed Junco - YouTube

He was a very pretty little bird, so friendly with all birds there - in particular with the Chaffinches.

[ladylouise62]

Friendly with the other birds? Typical American - 'Oversexed, overfed and over here'

[ladylouise62]

Actually I liked the video - quite a pretty bird for such a patternless, uncoloured thing. Nice variations of grey.

[Catherine]

Uncoloured? Didn't you notice his neat little pink beak?