Sunday 22 March 2015

22nd March 2015 Beachy NE4 Cold and overcast

Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 1
Black Redstart 1 male
Stonechat 6
Song Thrush 3
Jackdaw 1 showing characters of 'Eastern' Jackdaw


'Eastern' Jackdaw in the Top Fields
Whilst in early Spring worn Jackdaws can show a narrow pale collar on its lower neck, the pale collar on the individual seen today appeared too prominent being both broad and whitish. Whilst the angle of the bird in the above image is unhelpful in showing the extent of its pale collar, in direct comparison with a Jackdaw, it does reveal the silvery rear-head and nape that are also features associated with 'Eastern' Jackdaw. For a discussion of  'Eastern' Jackdaws and the difficulties posed by the intergrade issue see: