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Hi
Roger,
A
Little Grassbird. It is too dark on the back for a TG. Also clearly is streaked
on the underparts, a TG is plain. I know this is dumb but it just looks little,
not big enough for a TG and yes there is nothing on which to measure this on
your photo except the size of the reeds. The Little Grassbird is common there. I
may be wrong but I don't think we have ever had a TG in Canberra.
The
other one is harder. The Swamp Harrier (not called Marsh Harrier here) is less
rare than the Spotted Harrier in the ACT but both occur sporadically at Kellys
swamp, so status does not help much. It is certainly one of these two. It
looks much more like an immature Spotted Harrier to me. You say "I believe the
Raptor is a Marsh Harrier" and maybe you watched it for a long time and saw more
than the photo shows. Why do you think that? As in there might be something else
you saw that adds to the photo. I am just going by the photo. The wings and tail
look more grey than brown and are strongly barred (although adult Swamp Harriers
have barred wings), the tail looks very grey, which fits Spotted Harrier
more than Swamp Harrier. Most important there appears to be a strong divide
between the dark primary tips on both upper and lower view, which fits Spotted
Harrier much more than Swamp Harrier. I do not interpret the pale rump on the
photo as evidence of a white rump that would suggest it is a Swamp Harrier. The
immature Spotted Harrier can be really difficult, the only consistent
feature is the Spotted Harrier always shows spots or strong variegated
markings on the carpal (wrist) joint, whereas these markings are never
prominent in the Swamp Harrier.Your photo is not
clear enough to show this either way.
Philip
Could somebody help with Iding these birds please,I believe the Raptor is a
Marsh Harrier(not a very good photo )and could the small bird be a Tawny
Grassbird, both photo’s were taken at Kellys swamp today.
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