Hi Marek

Although the bird was distant when I saw it on Saturday, surely the fact that

it is so brown rather than grey on the upperparts indicates that it is a

first-summer rather than an adult female. It can easily be mistaken for a Common

Kestrel it is so brown and worn. Furthermore, it is incredibly tatty with many

missing tail and wing feathers indicative of first-summer plumage.

Best wishes

LEE G R EVANS

Hi Lee

I agree it's clearly not an adult and by virtue of the time of year

must be a first-summer. However, a "first-summer plumage" should show

some degree of adult feathers. I've seen a couple of 1s males and they

showed features of juvenile and adult plumage but basically looked

more like than an adult than juvenile. i.e. unmoulted juvenile tail

feathers etc.

What I would like to know is what feathers on the Moor Green were

adult feathers? I'm wondering why it isn't in unmoulted juvenile

plumage? i.e. barring on tail and coverts, lack of any orange, pale

crown etc. It is very tatty and has missing secondaries but doesn't

appear to have actually replaced any.

Cheers,

Marek

Hi Marek,

You're right, it is a really retarded first summer. I haven't seen the bird

myself but going on the various (not very clear) photos that have been

posted, it has replaced a few central greater coverts (always seem to be the

first feathers renewed on the wing), a few rear/lower scapulars and it looks

like at least one central tail feather. All theses feathers contrast from

the worn buffs and browns of the juvenile plumage by having blackish bars on

a pale grey ground colour. Otherwise, as you say, it's retained a pretty

much wasted juvenile plumage.

Cheers, Ian.

Ian,

Thank-you! Exactly the sort of info I was after! Next question, does

the fact that it has basically retained its juvenile plumage mean that

it's not safe to sex it as a female?

Cheers,

Marek

Hi Marek,

The new (second generation) feathers are adult female type so you are

absolutely safe to call it a first summer female.

Cheers, Ian.