wow, and I thought it was straightforward 
- the venerable Macmillan Bird Identification guide, as recommended by your good self, pictures the Cabaret, Greenland and nominate…and the description: …variable members of the Continental immigrants of race flammea (Mealy Redpoll) appear in Autumn and Winter on the British East coast. ‘Mealy’ is typically larger and paler than the ‘Lesser’ , whiter below and buffer above with two pale lines being more obvious than on most ‘Lessers’, rump often whiteish, streaked darker…
There’s so much overlap (and variation) in the plumages and sizes of Lesser & Mealy (and even Coues’ tbh) that they can sometimes only be separated by taking into account a whole suite of features. Even in-the-hand they’re not always obvious. This isn’t just my view but one shared by people who are significantly more experienced and knowledgable in the subject.
It can be quite a minefield, hence “Macmillan” using descriptions like
variable members
typically larger and paler
more obvious than on most
often whiteish
Bear in mind that pre-2000 they (Lesser and Common) were considered to be sub-species of the same (full) species…
edit:
Btw, we haven’t even scratched the surface, yet, what about the possibility of hybrids/intergrades?
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Redpoll then 
To be fair, given the extreme genetic convergence suggested in the DNA work Paul mentioned, the phenotype is clearly not definitive of the species in this cluster - chances are they would be better treated as subspecies of two or three stable species. Normal stuff when one or more species is undergoing diversification in a relatively short space of time - and a few thousand years can do it during episodes of rapid ecological fluctuation, even with birds and mammals.
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Absolutely made up with finding Fetlar’s first record of Hume’s Leaf Warbler this afternoon!
It’s a rare bird anywhere in Britain but mega rare in Shetland.
They breed in an area from the Hindu Kush and Karakoram east and north to the Tien Shan in China and the Altay Mountains in Mongolia. They travel south over the Himalayas to winter mainly in India.
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Fantastic spot! 
That really is the epitome of LBJ - i.e. most if us wouldn’t have a bluddy clue!
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Will people come to see it Paul ?
A few probably, a couple managed to get over yesterday afternoon and there’s people come in on the early ferry.
Don’t know if it’s still there, I haven’t been out yet.
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Amazing! Congratulations Paul
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Indeed it is still there, looking much more typical for a Hume’s in what is much flatter light. The strong sun yesterday gave it a slightly warm look.
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The Hume’s Warbler is still in the same area for the 4th day.
Hopefully it will stay for the weekend as I’m aware of a few people coming over to see it. Unfortunately, the weather is forecast to be shite for the next couple of days.
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Missed a couple of Goosander visitors to Richmond Park by about one minute today 
So had to settle for Stonechats…out in force in the autumn sun
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Local photographer John Atkins posted this on faecesbook:
Best I’ve seen was a small flock heading at speed away from me across the fields during a dog walk - it was only really that lovely subtle plummy pink plumage that gave away what they were!
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Despite their striking looks they can often be easily missed. Familiarising yourself with their unmistakable call is worthwhile.
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Cheers Paul - remembering to carry some bins is my main problem!
Yeah, I can see how that would be a bit of a disadvantage 
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Did the annual goose count for Fetlar today as part of the “Icelandic Goose Census” for the BTO
691 Greylags and 1 (one) Barnacle. Usually it is exclusively Greylags at this time of the year so the Barnacle was an unexpected bonus (not that you’re expected to count species other than Greylags!)
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Kind of surprised you can keep one as a pet.
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I’m not sure if I’m a twitcher or not, but I do enjoy looking out the window and seeing nice tits
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Pretty sure that joke was graffitied on the back of Noah’s Ark
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