Bird ID.

[Willpar]

This bird has been coming into the carpark for a few days now. The wagtails and a robin chase it away. But has managed to get a few mealworms which it is partial to. It bobs around like a robin but can see it is not that.



Looking at its tail and it is reddish. Now I looked it up, and to me it looks like a Common Redstart, but is not listed with the RSPB. I found it thinking Black redstart and that was my starting point. And it happen to show a picture or two of a Common Redstart. But don't know if they come to the UK But what a catch..

[Placido]

That video persuaded me right away that the bird was some type of robin, Willpar. Checked it out and zeroed in on a Red-headed Robin (some pix look exactly like this one) but that's an Australian bird !!
Then I checked the Common Redstart as you say - much more likely I s'pose. It winters in sub-Saharan Africa. Far away but not as far as Australia !!
What a spot !!!!!!

[Willpar]

Has got me thinking now Placi. I wonder whatever it is, was it blown in on that gale Saturday. Winds reached 83mph here. Anyways I have found a place to feed it live mealworms. Just down the path towards the back of the houses. It sits on the wall there. So a great place to put some mealworms. And it is nice and quiet there. All the mealworms I have put there have been ate.

[Jacksparrow]

I have checked my Collins Bird Guide and it looks very much like a juvenile Black Redstart.
An excellent spot Willpar

[Willpar]

Thank you jacksparrow. Knew it probably was not that common. Have had adult black redstarts here before, just the once. But I had seen them a few streets away where it is more quiet. Only late in the year though. Will keep up the rations as long as it stays.

[Willpar]

The mealworms are being ate, but cant say for sure what is eating them.

[Jacksparrow]

The mealworms are being ate, but cant say for sure what is eating them.

Is the Black Redstart still to be seen?

[Willpar]

I seen it yesterday first thing. But today I cant be sure. It moves to fast to get a good look.

[Willpar]

Still there Jacksparrow, got a good look at it this morning. Bobbing along the wall looking for the mealworms.

[Jacksparrow]

Still there Jacksparrow, got a good look at it this morning. Bobbing along the wall looking for the mealworms.

Good news. It knows when it's on to a good thing.