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Lapland Bunting or Larkspur Lucky to see this on the Isle of Jura, fortunately a friend was able to identify it, as it's a rare visitor, I really struggled to identify it through the larks, pipits and other passerines. This is a 1st winter adult. Calcarius lapponicus,Isle of Jura,Lapland Bunting,Lapland longspur Click/tap to enlarge PromotedCountry intro

Lapland Bunting or Larkspur

Lucky to see this on the Isle of Jura, fortunately a friend was able to identify it, as it's a rare visitor, I really struggled to identify it through the larks, pipits and other passerines. This is a 1st winter adult.

    comments (15)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
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    That's a really excellent shot! Posted 4 years ago
    1. View NattyOne's profile
      NattyOne
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      Thanks, I was trying a new (2nd hand) lens. Posted 4 years ago
      1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
        Ferdy Christant
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        It seems to work well :) Posted 4 years ago
        1. View NattyOne's profile
          NattyOne
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          Yes pleased with it, if I can get the focus! ;¬} Posted 4 years ago
          1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
            Ferdy Christant
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            Slow auto focus? Posted 4 years ago
            1. View NattyOne's profile
              NattyOne
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              No, 100-400mm so delicate with anything around moving - so it's about me getting it manual as not really a tripod person :¬}> Posted 4 years ago
              1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
                Ferdy Christant
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                Know what you mean, my normal all-round lens is a 80-400mm. Posted 4 years ago
                1. View NattyOne's profile
                  NattyOne
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                  Mine's a 70-200mm, so apart from the weight, I need light but am very pleased with the new lens Posted 4 years ago
  3. View Patomarazul's profile
    Patomarazul
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    Nice! Posted 4 years ago
    1. View NattyOne's profile
      NattyOne
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      Thanks! Posted 4 years ago
  5. View Thibaud Aronson's profile
    Thibaud Aronson
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    Hmmmm
    I'm not entirely convinced. That facial pattern, especially the very clear creamy eyebrow contrasting with the rufous cap and cheek, looks more like a female Reed bunting than a Lapland longspur to me.
    Compare https://media.ebird.org/catalog?taxonCode=reebun&sort=rating_rank_desc&mediaType=photo&regionCode=GB

    with

    https://media.ebird.org/catalog?taxonCode=laplon&sort=rating_rank_desc&mediaType=photo&regionCode=GB

    where the longspur has a yellowish face, contrasting with that black cap and the line that stretches behind the eye and curves around the cheek.     Posted 2 years ago
    1. View NattyOne's profile
      NattyOne
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      Hi Thibaud,

      You could well be right, from those photos, it certainly seems so. I originally thought it was a Reed Bunting and was showing a friend this and other photos from Jura - Hen Harrier, White-tailed Eagle etc.

      He's much more experienced than me and records the migrations (counting and identifying the birds) around here and this is what he said "Hello David .....a cracking head photo and I am pretty sure it is a Lapland Bunting which are on the move south at this time of year." I took his advice as I'd never seen the bird before, he said it was likely and immature female.

      Anyway I'm more than happy to bow to your wisdom Thibaud and I'll amend the species. Here's another shot of the same bird which I've just added & identified as the Reed Bunting.
      https://www.jungledragon.com/image/146734

      Cheers, thanks again & keep posting those magnificent Peruvians!! David       Posted 2 years ago, modified 2 years ago
      1. View Thibaud Aronson's profile
        Thibaud Aronson
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        Hi David,

        As you know, I've been away from Europe for a bit, and never was an expert in the Old World avifauna to begin with!
        If you don't mind, I could upload the photos to birdforum, where there are some proper experts who could doubtlessly give a firm ID given the high quality of the pics.         Posted 2 years ago, modified 2 years ago
        1. View NattyOne's profile
          NattyOne
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          Yes Thibaud, Lucky you!!!

          I'm very happy with what you've said & shown that it's 99% Reed Bunting, it was my first thought. By all means upload them. That'd be great. I'll leave this identity till you come back but as you've said I'm convinced! Cheers, thanks, David           Posted 2 years ago
          1. View Thibaud Aronson's profile
            Thibaud Aronson
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            Cool, I'll let you know! Posted 2 years ago

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The Lapland longspur

The Lapland longspur , also known as the Lapland bunting, is a passerine bird in the longspur family Calcariidae, a group separated by most modern authors from the Fringillidae .

Info 3 0
Similar species: Perching Birds
Species identified by NattyOne
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By NattyOne

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Uploaded Nov 12, 2020. Captured Oct 30, 2020 10:31.
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  • Canon EOS 7D Mark II
  • f/6.3
  • 1/512s
  • ISO200
  • 400mm