Barbara drew attention to the quite different spotting on back of female v juvenile. Barbara is right of course - very interesting difference. Overall the juv is likely to be paler esp on the shoulders (is that the secondaries?), being marked in good light dark on pale rather than white on dark: NJ v NF below. However in dull conditions like the depths of a leafy tree, both are going to look medium darkish DJ v DF below. Certainly something to keep an eye out for.
From: Barbara Allan [
Sent: Wednesday, 7 March 2012 1:56 PM
To: Geoffrey Dabb
Subject: he's still here
Re your photos of female v juvenile, surely the more obvious difference is the clear heavy spotting on the female’s back and wings. Quite different at least from this juvenile. Plus the calling of course. b
