Eastern Stonechats are a conundrum - it appears the two species we regularly get in the UK can't easily be separated without DNA analysis and this bird was frequenting flooded scrub in an old lime bed which makes getting a DNA sample pretty dangerous. However, since I’ve been in Australia I understand a poo sample has been collected that may allow a DNA analysis.
Although the identification features are becoming better known there are still photos of birds that look like Siberian Stonechat that turned out to be Stejnegers and vice-versa.
I managed to get down with Mark Payne on the 28th December and saw the bird distantly on a number of occasions. My first impressions were that it was maurus or Siberian Stonechat rather than Stejnegers. The overall paleness and frostiness coupled with a peach coloured rump seemed a better fit for this species. Hopefully someone will be able to get a DNA sample for analysis to confirm.
Unfortunately it was too far to get any usable photos although others have had better luck when its been a bit closer. I did manage a bit of very distant video which doesn't really bring much to the identification party but if you look at the very end you can just about make out the very pale rump as the bird flies.
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