Just an update on the Ogden Northern Treecreeper .
19/10/2016 1400 hrs.
A very lively afternoon as I checked the east bank at Ogden with a heavy move of passerines taking place with birds moving through the Willows and Alders with the largest movement I had seen this year and not to be repeated since.
Birds moving through included Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Brambling, Siskin, Redpoll, and Goldcrest plus Long Tailed, Great, Blue and Coal Tits.
Suddenly a Treecreeper appeared on the trunk of a small tree about 15 yards from me giving me about 2 minutes to get the bins on it and then get a single photo before it did the usual round the tree trick and away through the Willows not to be re located.
The bird stood out showing a bright white underside and very white looking mantle well speckled with white spots right over its crown. The most noticeable thing about the bird was the very broad white supercillium which went all the way from its head over the nape and onto the mantle.
The dark portion showing on the right side primaries is actually shadow with the light coming through the trees as the whole of the upperparts of the bird looked a silvery white colour.
Back at home I checked through several books and internet making me feel sure it was indeed a Northern Treecreeper.
As soon as I put it on my blog I began to get e mails from birders with knowledge of the species suggesting Northern so I put together a description and photo sending it to groups and individuals and all that replied either agreed on the results or said it was a good candidate for one.
One birder explained that the pale transparent leg colours put it to a Northern.
This has since been passed by B.O.G. rarities committee and because of the scarcity of the bird it has been forwarded on to the YNU. although this is a long process which can take up to 12 months but until that time I,m happy that this bird is of the Northern race and a first for this area.
Thanks to B.O.G and all the individuals who took an interest in the identification of this bird.
BS