I'm also going to put this in the bird group but I have twice seen a
new-to-us bird in the garden that I don't know. One of the nursery team
has seen it, too and he doesn't know it either. I saw it from a
distance so my description isn't going to be perfect! It's a bit bigger
than a blackbird and appears to have a dark back and belly. But it has
white cheeks and (I think) a pale 'chin' and white flashes in the
wings. If the bird I saw this morning is the same as the one I saw a
few days ago, the white wing markings are very distinctive as it flies
away from you, against the dark brown or black of its body. There may
be a flash of white on the tail and there may be a lighter brown or
chestnut cap to its head but I'm not at all sure of those. On both
occasions, it was feeding under conifers, once under the Atlantic cedar
and once under the Pinus montezumae. It was feeding from the ground
with an aggressive and frequent stabbing motion.
We live surrounded by farmland in the South Hams and our garden has
extensive cover for birds.
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Blackcap



"Sacha" wrote in message ...

I'm also going to put this in the bird group but I have twice seen a
new-to-us bird in the garden that I don't know. One of the nursery team
has seen it, too and he doesn't know it either. I saw it from a
distance so my description isn't going to be perfect! It's a bit bigger
than a blackbird and appears to have a dark back and belly. But it has
white cheeks and (I think) a pale 'chin' and white flashes in the
wings. If the bird I saw this morning is the same as the one I saw a
few days ago, the white wing markings are very distinctive as it flies
away from you, against the dark brown or black of its body. There may
be a flash of white on the tail and there may be a lighter brown or
chestnut cap to its head but I'm not at all sure of those. On both
occasions, it was feeding under conifers, once under the Atlantic cedar
and once under the Pinus montezumae. It was feeding from the ground
with an aggressive and frequent stabbing motion.
We live surrounded by farmland in the South Hams and our garden has
extensive cover for birds.
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

On 01/07/2013 13:53, 'Mike' wrote:
Blackcap

Black cap is smaller than a blackbird.

"Sacha" wrote in message ...
I'm also going to put this in the bird group but I have twice seen a
new-to-us bird in the garden that I don't know. One of the nursery team
has seen it, too and he doesn't know it either. I saw it from a
distance so my description isn't going to be perfect! It's a bit bigger
than a blackbird and appears to have a dark back and belly. But it has
white cheeks and (I think) a pale 'chin' and white flashes in the wings.
If the bird I saw this morning is the same as the one I saw a few days
ago, the white wing markings are very distinctive as it flies away from
you, against the dark brown or black of its body. There may be a flash
of white on the tail and there may be a lighter brown or chestnut cap to
its head but I'm not at all sure of those. On both occasions, it was
feeding under conifers, once under the Atlantic cedar and once under the
Pinus montezumae. It was feeding from the ground with an aggressive and
frequent stabbing motion.
We live surrounded by farmland in the South Hams and our garden has
extensive cover for birds.

On 01/07/2013 13:38, Sacha wrote:
I'm also going to put this in the bird group but I have twice seen a
new-to-us bird in the garden that I don't know. One of the nursery team
has seen it, too and he doesn't know it either. I saw it from a
distance so my description isn't going to be perfect! It's a bit bigger
than a blackbird and appears to have a dark back and belly. But it has
white cheeks and (I think) a pale 'chin' and white flashes in the wings.
If the bird I saw this morning is the same as the one I saw a few days
ago, the white wing markings are very distinctive as it flies away from
you, against the dark brown or black of its body. There may be a flash
of white on the tail and there may be a lighter brown or chestnut cap to
its head but I'm not at all sure of those. On both occasions, it was
feeding under conifers, once under the Atlantic cedar and once under the
Pinus montezumae. It was feeding from the ground with an aggressive and
frequent stabbing motion.
We live surrounded by farmland in the South Hams and our garden has
extensive cover for birds.

I know it's not quite as you describe it but could it be a ring ouzel?

On 2013-07-01 14:17:05 +0100, David Hill said:

On 01/07/2013 13:38, Sacha wrote:
I'm also going to put this in the bird group but I have twice seen a
new-to-us bird in the garden that I don't know. One of the nursery team
has seen it, too and he doesn't know it either. I saw it from a
distance so my description isn't going to be perfect! It's a bit bigger
than a blackbird and appears to have a dark back and belly. But it has
white cheeks and (I think) a pale 'chin' and white flashes in the wings.
If the bird I saw this morning is the same as the one I saw a few days
ago, the white wing markings are very distinctive as it flies away from
you, against the dark brown or black of its body. There may be a flash
of white on the tail and there may be a lighter brown or chestnut cap to
its head but I'm not at all sure of those. On both occasions, it was
feeding under conifers, once under the Atlantic cedar and once under the
Pinus montezumae. It was feeding from the ground with an aggressive and
frequent stabbing motion.
We live surrounded by farmland in the South Hams and our garden has
extensive cover for birds.

I know it's not quite as you describe it but could it be a ring ouzel?

That's a distinct possibility, though it might not be the bird I saw in
flight unless the silvery feathers edging its wings would show as white
bars? Seen on the RSPB photo it's very similar to what I saw this
morning. This one was alone and close to the house, which doesn't seem
to be descriptive of the ring ouzel. Otoh, we are close to Dartmoor
which it is said to like! To save effort and duplication I've x-posted
this to uk.rec.birdwatching.
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Sacha wrote:

That's a distinct possibility, though it might not be the bird I saw
in flight unless the silvery feathers edging its wings would show as
white bars? Seen on the RSPB photo it's very similar to what I saw
this morning. This one was alone and close to the house, which
doesn't seem to be descriptive of the ring ouzel. Otoh, we are close
to Dartmoor which it is said to like! To save effort and duplication
I've x-posted this to uk.rec.birdwatching.

Pied Flycatcher?

--
Chris

CT wrote:
Sacha wrote:

That's a distinct possibility, though it might not be the bird I saw
in flight unless the silvery feathers edging its wings would show as
white bars? Seen on the RSPB photo it's very similar to what I saw
this morning. This one was alone and close to the house, which
doesn't seem to be descriptive of the ring ouzel. Otoh, we are close
to Dartmoor which it is said to like! To save effort and duplication
I've x-posted this to uk.rec.birdwatching.

Pied Flycatcher?

I know sizes are tricky, but surely that is quite a bit smaller than a
blackbird? (Not that I've looked up the numbers.)

Mike.
--
If reply address is (invalid), remove spurious "@"
and substitute "plus" for +.

Mike Coon wrote:

CT wrote:

Pied Flycatcher?

I know sizes are tricky, but surely that is quite a bit smaller than
a blackbird? (Not that I've looked up the numbers.)

Yes, it is.

But as you say, sizes can definitely be tricky and it fitted the
colour/markings so worth a punt for the OP to check out some images.

Perhaps it was just a semi-albino Blackbird, like:
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/resources...ticleLandscape

--
Chris

"David Hill" wrote in message
...
On 01/07/2013 13:38, Sacha wrote:
I'm also going to put this in the bird group but I have twice seen a
new-to-us bird in the garden that I don't know. One of the nursery team
has seen it, too and he doesn't know it either. I saw it from a
distance so my description isn't going to be perfect! It's a bit bigger
than a blackbird and appears to have a dark back and belly. But it has
white cheeks and (I think) a pale 'chin' and white flashes in the wings.
If the bird I saw this morning is the same as the one I saw a few days
ago, the white wing markings are very distinctive as it flies away from
you, against the dark brown or black of its body. There may be a flash
of white on the tail and there may be a lighter brown or chestnut cap to
its head but I'm not at all sure of those. On both occasions, it was
feeding under conifers, once under the Atlantic cedar and once under the
Pinus montezumae. It was feeding from the ground with an aggressive and
frequent stabbing motion.
We live surrounded by farmland in the South Hams and our garden has
extensive cover for birds.

I know it's not quite as you describe it but could it be a ring ouzel?

Also known as the Mountain Blackbird -from Sacha's description, I doubt it.

Bill

Have bought 3 tickets for next Thursday, never been to the show, (but
have been to the Palace) Any advice on getting the best show
experience appreciated

-
-
-
Lincolnfuchsiasociety.info

(Any Olympic GameMakers here?)

On 02/07/2013 13:13, Derek wrote:
Have bought 3 tickets for next Thursday, never been to the show, (but
have been to the Palace) Any advice on getting the best show
experience appreciated

-
-
-
Lincolnfuchsiasociety.info

(Any Olympic GameMakers here?)

Take wellies with you. if it rains hard or has rained hard parts cut up.
With wellies who cares?
Other than that Enjoy.

On 2013-07-02 16:10:36 +0100, David Hill said:

On 02/07/2013 13:13, Derek wrote:
Have bought 3 tickets for next Thursday, never been to the show, (but
have been to the Palace) Any advice on getting the best show
experience appreciated

-
-
-
Lincolnfuchsiasociety.info

(Any Olympic GameMakers here?)

Take wellies with you. if it rains hard or has rained hard parts cut up.
With wellies who cares?
Other than that Enjoy.

If wellies aren't needed, I wear my old, disgraceful and intensely
comfortable Docksides for such things. Shoes that are 'kind' are so
important the whole day can be wrecked without them. But of course,
that goes for any show, really. Our last visit there must be about 6
years ago but we bought a collapsible wheelbarrow, which we filled with
plants we bought as we went along and then took it to the plant crêche
and picked the lot up at the end. Imo, Hampton Court is *much* better
than Chelsea. Not only can you actually see the Show Gardens, you can
buy plants, not just order them! Other than the social kudos, the
whole 'Chelsea hype' evades my comprehension. It's over-crowded, the
showground is small and when it rains, everyone herds into the marquee
where you get knocked about by other people, who you, in turn, are
knocking about! Last time we went - again very many years ago - we
were staying just round the corner and got in as soon as the gates
opened. The weather wasn't good and the crowds round the Show Gardens
were so deep that we gave up, got pummelled in the marquee by rucksacks
and their owners, sheltering from the drizzle and went back to where we
were staying for tea. We just gave up, frankly! Hampton Court is a far
more enjoyable experience, ioo.
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

When I worked in London, and it was free for RHS members, I used to go after work - everyone else was starting their journey home, so it was very pleasant. But the no-sales was a nuisance - gardening wouldn't be half they challenge without all these impulse-buy plants ;-)

I much preferred the monthly shows in the RHS halls at Vincent Square. Quiet, things to buy, different theme each month so you weren't trying to take in too much information all at once.

Now I just don't like the whole thing about shows - the crowds, the difficulty of finding the few stalls you'd be interested in - so I don't go to any of them.

In article ,
says...

Have bought 3 tickets for next Thursday, never been to the show, (but
have been to the Palace) Any advice on getting the best show
experience appreciated

Feet WILL get tired and hot and possibly stepped on by others. If
there are ladies in your group, I suggest they wear comfortable shoes
with flat heels; with more foot protection than strappy sandals. Take a
notebook, pen, and camera to record desirable plants/designs etc.If you
have a weakness for plant catalogues take plenty of loose change; most
growers charge a pound or two for catalogues on show stands. Small
foldaway sunhat/plasticmac/umbrella/suncream and water in small backpack
covers all weather possibilities. Foldup strong bag if you're likely to
buy plants.

Janet.

The kind of birds that are of thrush size or a bit larger and peck the ground with a strong stabbing motion are mainly:
woodpeckers
waders
thrushes
crows

So if we are content that it is not a ring ouzel (and a juvenile doesn't meet the description either) or leucistic blackbird, there aren't really any other thrushes it could be. There's no crow meeting that description. No woodpecker, juvenile, female or otherwise meets the description. So I'm wondering if this could be a wader, as these often have white wing flashes. Lapwing is most common but has white underparts. Redshank have dark underparts in the breeding seasons, and is the only other thing I can think of in about the right size range. so that's something to consider.