Found this on facebook: Ireland Birdwatch Portmarnock

[MAK]

Couldn't find a stonechat like Donna's bird but thought the Reunion stonechat looked a little like a dark-eyed Junco except for beak color.

Here's an RSPB link, MAK. When they say "the size of a robin", they are talking about the European Robin... you can click to find this one on the link too...

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/stonechat/index.aspx

European robin is much smaller than the American robin.

[Donna]

Ahhh, it's OK Bobbie, the first to guess, is the first to know!

So what's this?

Ah, well, now! THIS one is a stinker!

Nope, it's not a Stinker!    Try again!

[Bobbie Ireland]

Nope, it's not a Stinker!    Try again!
[/quote]

EGG-cellent!

[MAK]

Ahhh, it's OK Bobbie, the first to guess, is the first to know!

So what's this?

My guess is a female brown-headed Cowbird. A "stinker" of a bird as it lays it's eggs in other bird nests for them to raise it's young!

[Donna]

female house finch

Close 

[Bobbie Ireland]

female house finch

Close 

Good job narrowing this down, NYCBird... a finch sp. sounds good... but more than that? I'm foxed!

[MAK]

Female Common Rosefinch!   :

[Bobbie Ireland]

Female Common Rosefinch!   :

Aha, MAK! I bet you have it there. I thought Finch sp., but that's as far as I got. I await word from Donna. (The judges' decision is final...)

[Donna]

Ok, here's the answer: Ready?

It's a Linnet: A small Old World finch (Carduelis cannabina) having brownish plumage. AKA, LBJ!

Yes, you all got the finch part right.    Ok, on to the next.

[Bobbie Ireland]

Ok, here's the answer: Ready?

It's a Linnet: A small Old World finch (Carduelis cannabina) having brownish plumage. AKA, LBJ!

Yes, you all got the finch part right.    Ok, on to the next.

Well, Bobbie gets a big fat F for this one - NOT recognising a Linnet??? Sheesh! (Musta been the quality of the photo... ) Even a familiar LBJ can confuse... and often DOES!

[Donna]

Ok, here's todays: Could be an easy one, although they say it's a rare find in Ireland. Photo taken in Ballycotton, Co. Cork

Who me be?

[Bobbie Ireland]

Ok, here's todays: Could be an easy one, although they say it's a rare find in Ireland. Photo taken in Ballycotton, Co. Cork

Who me be?

Ahhh, Blessed Ballycotton... a twitcher's paradise! Saw my first (and only?) Phalarope there. A superb place during migration seasons. I am heading towards a Lark sp here. - we'll see!

My own Rules for Identification: I have seen many birds in my ancient life - HOWEVER! I do not add them to any sort of real "list" til I can ID them myself. I have, for example, been "shown" a Bonelli's Eagle... looked like a flying postage stamp to me... So I have seen one... but can I ID one? Uhhhh... nope!

(Spell check for "Phalarope" = "Flareup")

[Donna]

Bonelli's Eagle.  How cool is this? Never heard of one Bobbie. Thanks.

[Annette]

Bonelli's Eagle.  How cool is this? Never heard of one Bobbie. Thanks.

A beautiful bird of prey.

[MAK]

Ok, here's todays: Could be an easy one, although they say it's a rare find in Ireland. Photo taken in Ballycotton, Co. Cork

Who me be?

The Wood Lark is what I came up with going on Bobbies'  thought.   Beeeautiful eagle!