Sorry to put up this rather sad post but the youngster in the photos was found, sadly demised, on my patio next to the bird feeder.
The question is, what is it?
First thoughts might be a young robin or dunnock as there are youngsters of both species in the garden. None, however, with the reddy-brown rump and tail feathers.
Black legs and bill match young redstart but not in a north Cardiff garden surely?
All suggestions gratefully received.
Glamorgan Bird Club 
Well I’m no expert on juv birds and have never handled one or seen one that close but it looks very much like a juv Common Redstart to me Roger, esp having had a look at juv Redstarts and Robins on Google images. Where are you in N Cardiff? The only other thought is prey dropped by a Sprarrowhawk, caught elsewhere, but generally they wouldn’t take the prey too far from where it was caught unless it was to feed young at some distance from it’s hunting area. Any ringers on here got an opinion?
Definate Juvenile Common Redstart. They disperse fairly quickly from sites north of Cardiff such as Coed y Bedw. Actually caught one going south at Portland Bird Obs on 6th July.
Hi John
Thanks for the response. We’re in Cyncoed, though right on the very edge of the countryside next to Lisvane Reservoir. Sparrowhawk is a possibility though our regular male tends to perform daily (and sometime multiple daily) raiding sorties across the patio and around the bird feeder rather than carrying caught prey across the garden.
I’ve also spent some time googling and drew similar conclusions to yourself.
Definitely a Redstart – patio windows if you have them could be the reason for its demise given the good condition of the plumage. Surprising how much juvs can wander, though there must be a few pairs breeding just north of Cardiff that aren’t too far away?
Definitely a juv. common redstart! The red in the tail and rump makes it a redstart sp., the clarity of the spotting and the warmth of the browns on the upperparts make it a common rather than black redstart (the relative length of the 2nd primary compared to the wingtip would aid in the separation of the 2 redstart spp, but not quite visible here). Quite a surprise in Lisvane but it’s the time of year for juvs to start wandering around as they look for good pre-migratory food sources!
Thanks all! Well there you go Roger. Would have been a nice garden tick if it had lived. As Barry said, it prob flew into the patio door if it’s the usual large glass sheet type. Coed-y-Bedw is just N of the M4 as Peter says, and there are usually a good few pairs of Redstart there.
Very many thanks to everyone that has contributed here.
Everyone’s comments are intriguing, particularly with regard to the likely origins of the Redstart. I’ve found them along the South Wales Border ridges to the north of Lisvane on a number of occasions in the past and the closest straight-line sighting to us here has been from the Cefn Onn area behind the park of the same name, certainly closer than Coed y Bedw, and probably two miles distant.
The habitat immediately to the north and east of Lisvane Reservoir, whilst farmland is typically of a “parkland” nature and to that degree it might not be out of the question to find Redstarts in the vicinity, particularly if dispersing prior to migration. Might be worth those of us who frequent the area keeping them in mind.
Again, Many thanks to all.
PS. Many thanks for your work with the new Sightings Blog, John. It has been very nice feeling that I can make a contribution and having such helpful responses in such a friendly manner. I wish you every success with the new format and look forward to reading and, who knows, contributing again in the future. I am very impressed so far and, as you know, welcome the levels of protection afforded to genuine contributors who should feel more confident in asking questions and making comments without fear of anonymous ridicule and abuse.