Tiny wee bird - can anyone identify

[Keshet]

We have had a tiny wee bird approx 2- 2.5 inches in size - pale fawn/beige on top and very pale yellow underside. Seems to be feeding off tall seeding weeds. Only one spotted so doesn't appear to have a mate. Have any of you bird-fanciers, of the feathered variety, have any ideas

[hairylegs]

Contact Bill Jackson - 300310 - he's a birder and will keep you right.

[Keshet]

thanks hairy legs - I'll give him a phone -

[EnglishLocal]

Sounds like heron to me.

[a nonny mouse]

Yeah, must be. Herons are usually 2 - 2.5 inches in size.

[Bugfreik]

You've probably spoken to Bill by now anyway, but it 'sounds' like a siskin to me.

[EnglishLocal]

Well they are when they are pups.

[a nonny mouse]

No, I bet they're bigger than that when they hatch. We are talking herons here and not collies?

[Keshet]

thanks for the input people...I have spoken to a few birders but they have not hit the mark as yet - it is not a siskin, nor a thrite, nor a heron - although I did wonder about that one - duh!
I am going to try and photograph it - getting close enuf is a problem but I reckon it is a rare one whatever it is- may keep it under my hat though remember the 'twitchers' last time when the snowy egret descended on Balvicar.

[Eric the Viking]

"About one thing the Englishman has a particularly strict code. If a bird says Cluk bik bik bik bik and caw you may kill it, eat it or ask Fortnums to pickle it in Napoleon brandy with wild strawberries................................ If it says tweet it is a dear and precious friend and you'd better lay off it if you want to remain a member of Boodles."
Clement Freud, Freud on Food, 1978

[a nonny mouse]

Keshet, I was looking up bugs in my wildlife book last night and came across the bird section.

Are you sure your wee bird isn't a warbler of some kind?

There are pictures here:
http://triptych.brynmawr.edu/cdm4/brows ... ART=11,201

They're a bit small, but click on a picture and it'll enlarge.

[Keshet]

Erik - I don't want to know if I can eat the bird - I just want to know what it is. But thanks for the input.
Thank you a nonny mouse - it is not a warbler and definately not a poppy or cinquefoil. I am scratching my head and full of puzzlement. I cannot even begin to identify it from books or internet sites.

It really is VERY small - much smaller than a small sparrow.

Mmmmm - it's a mystery....

[a nonny mouse]

Not a little wren then?

[Keshet]

No, colouring all wrong. Not speckled or anything - pale beige on top and pale lemon underneath.

Anyone missing a caged bird of some description - not a budgie or canary.

[Minimum]

Albeno chick wren

[Keshet]

Nae, lad, tis not a humming bird nor a humming bee but thanks for the suggestion.

[Minimum]

Albino Robin, then?

[a nonny mouse]

Oh, lots of tits in Scotland, and the rest of the UK too. Blue, Coal, Great, Blair, you name it.

[spiderman]

And Kate Humble's

[a nonny mouse]

Gasp How did you know I was on this board