Measuring wing length
Measuring tarsus length
Spread wings for ageing
Whinchat (female, spring): assessing the age on this species requires close observation of the greater coverts
Stonechat (juv male, autumn): contrast between primary coverts (the small feathers below the human thumb) and greater coverts (small feathers running back towards the white feather) age this as a bird of the year.
Meadow Pipit (adult, autumn): a lack of contrast in the contour feathers and lack of feather-wear help age this bird as adult.
Birds in the hand
Whinchat Saxicola rubetra. First spring female.
Stonechat Saxicola (torquata) rubicola. Juvenile male
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Pied Flycatcher in "photographer's grip"
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis adult in "photographer's grip"