Well, Merlin Photo ID thinks its a Meadow Pipit anyway, which if it is, it’s the first time I’ve knowingly photoed one.

Prospect Park, Reading, UK

Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800mm lens

    • KevinFRK@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      1·
      2 months ago

      I’m afraid I was mostly trusting Merlin, which only offered Meadow. Looking up the difference between the two in a book, they are very similar, and I’m not familiar with them - Merlin perhaps went by eye markings or side streaks, or perhaps balance of probabilities based on time of year/location (Tree Pipits being rarer).

      P.S. I’ve not knowingly photoed a Tree Pipit either!

        • KevinFRK@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          1·
          2 months ago

          Fair comment.

          I’ve never had much success with the local Berks Birds recording site, but a reasonable suggestion. This suggests historically you get sightings of Tree Pipits maybe April to occasionally August here (Berkshire), while Meadow Pipits are much more reported, including in the last few days.

          Comparing the photos on their site, I can see more why the thickness of the streaks at the sides (suggested by WILDGuides Britain’s Birds) might be a good indicator, if not perfect.