What is this little bird?

It could be a Dunnock Pg, though the one in my garden and book isn't so heavily striped as this....I bet Bonkers would know...........

They are grey breasted aren't they Janey? Yes, you're right, BB will probably know! He'll be here sometime I'm sure...!

Well think you re both right to doubt Dunnock as you say more heavily grey and dont have that ring around eye do they ? really struggled as not easy to ID small brown birds I d settle on Meadow Pipit if you search for images or possibly Rock Pipit if you near sea they spend winter months very close to shorelines.

Could it be a twite? Not sure which areas they are found in so I am just guessing :)

Not near the sea BB so looked up Meadow Pipit and that's a pretty similar bird, so think you are right on that! New one here, well, I have not seen before. But they seem to only eat insects, spiders, flies etc. can see no mention of seeds. May-be that's why they don't come to the tables? Yet to find the mealworms?!

Just looked up Twite Gee, can see what you mean...it is similar. But the beak seems to look to be a shorter, stubby bill where as this little thing has quite a slender one. Which goes with the insect eating description of the Pipit. Interesting, to get a different species.

Pipits not often found in gardens PG so perhaps weather driving them in land a little although quite common they are often found on moor and heathland etc.
So rarely seen on bird tables.

Yes Gee looked at Twite as the markings very similar but thought the beak a little thicker and shorter on them much easier to spot the brightly coloured ones isnt it ?

It's certainly a cute little thing :)

Interesting .. The Meadow and the Rock or water Pipit look very much alike in my book ......... well done for spotting it PG ....

They do in mine too Amy lol

Aaaaawwwwwwwww its very cute PG :)so is it a UK bird then as iv not ever seen 1 b4 :) Thanx 4 sharing the Pic :)

BB ~ Yes, may-be they are coming inland like the sea gulls do. It must be even colder by the sea.

Amy ~ I couldn't see what it was until I put the photo's up on my laptop!!
It flew across in front of me as I was walking and went under the hedge. It was this that made me photograph it as it was a different behaviour to the other birds. I was taking snow pics at the time!

Jacque ~ happy to share, it's interesting to have a different species. We have a lot of suitable shelter here so hope it will be OK.

Yes, the Dunnock is a lot greyer.....the Meadow Pipit, in my book, should winter in southern Europe and North Africa. I wonder if it was late fledging and wasn't strong enough to go...it says they are seldom resident...........

It's interesting you say that Janey, as I thought it looked a young bird and when I look at the other photos I took even where it is bending over to feed I can see no tail....? On the RSPB site it has a normal tail length.

Lovely photo cute

Don't want to start a massive GoY argument.....but I think it's a juvenile Siskin.

Can see what you mean Phil,..... it's just the beak, the pictures of Siskins I have seen look to have a heavier beak than this little guy.
I am tempted to send the photo to the RSPB but their website says they are getting a large amount of traffic at the moment and can't guarantee replying. So I'll wait a while!

Really Philc1....lets have a look..........

Mmmm....you're right Pg...the Siskin is Finch with a seed eating beak.....whereas your bird looks like an insect eater....have you had a look on Google Pg?

No Janey, I might just do that! Off I go.....

Just had a look Pg...definitely a baby Meadow Pipit...aw....let's hope it comes through the winter okay.....X

Yes, found it too, I agree Janey, Not walked that area today, will go again tomorrow and see if I can see it again.

:o) X

this little bird is so lovely potty,,, well captured :o))

He's a cutie isn't he? I have been back to where I saw him but have not spotted him again.

just looked it up and it said maedow pipits would have pinkish legs where rock pipits dont, so watch his legs potty lol

:o)

I too would say it's a Meadow Pipit PG. Amazingly one hopped across the pavement in front of me 2 days ago on my way to the shops ! A lot of birds appear in unusual places in hard weather, it's what makes birdwatching interesting, you never know what may turn up ! :-)

Can't join in the debate as to what this bird is, except to say it is definitely not a Dunnock. We have a pair of Dunnocks around our garden. Lovely song they have.