I saw a Robin like bird from a distance from my kitchen window but I reached for the binoculars where I was able to see orange tail feathers which made me think it was a female Redstart. The angle of the sun did not make identification easy though and the sunlight may have given the impression that the plumage was lighter than it actually was. Seeing as Black Redstarts are often spotted locally (around Penarth Barrage), it could have been a female Black Redstart. Sorry for not being 100% on this but I’ll keep my eyes peeled over the coming days. Any thoughts welcome.
Hi Ian – at this time of year could only be a fem or imm male Black Redstart, all the Common redstarts having departed for warmer climes. There have been two Black Reds around Penarth Marina, one of which is an ad male [which I have seen] and the other apparently a fem/imm type.
Thanks John. Hopefully I’m on their patch so I’ll be able to see again.