Or Manchurian Bush Warbler? Last year I had Manchurian so I would very much like a Jap Bush to add to my garden list. I didn’t think asking the audience would help and I am already at 50:50 so I’ve phoned a friend.
It was not very confiding but it allowed me a few images before it ducked out of sight. Here they are:
All downhill from here 
LOVE the eyebrows !!! 😀
Mancunian Bush Warbler ? Does it have a red-and-white scarf ?
It was a Busby Babe, I think
Kate to her friends. Kate Bush-Warbler, one of the Hampstead Bush-Warblers.
Ah, Hampstead Bush-Warblers of a pinkish hue…..
This one is so trim and very pretty. The last pic was your lucky shot. At least for me, I like that one the best.
I rather like the “I’m hidden but I can see you” poses the best. Hopefully a genitalia dissection won’t be called for.
What a flirt!
Awful 😉
Very elegant. Hope you find a way to be sure it’s the missing one.
Sadly it was not, Hilary.
Andrew, I have just spent the last half hour at work surfing the net to find a reliable way of differentiating the 2, and all I found was that there was a whole lot of confusion out there with historical name changes and taxonomy!! Some suggestions for differentiation are the opposite to others and the song appears to be the best choice 😦
I shall now sit back and wait for the experts to advise.
A lovely bird come what may and I do hope you have found the Japanese to add to the Manchurian :0)
I’m glad you have been productive at work, James. The line I liked was “field separation of these two taxa has yet to be fully resolved”. That is rarity comm speak for “I’m sorry I haven’t a clue”. I’m now thinking the muted tones are Manchurian-like but I will see what Paul Leader says. I suspect this bird has been around a while. A couple of weeks ago I saw what I thought was a large-ish acro in the garden – never got the bins on it. I tentatively dismissed it as Oriental Reed Warbler but now I suspect it may have been this chap.
Oh no!!! Its a Manchurian 😡😡
Cutie bird, whatever it is!
So, what is the verdict?
Still waiting :-((