Great Reed Warbler

Cropped pictures of Great Reed Warbler

Really good to see most of visitors to the site viewed as instructed and after two days it was clear only one or two had ventured into the field for a closer look. 

This is probably the best views likely but it is such a loud singer it can be heard easily.

Very busy today at East Chevington as a large twitch nearby at Blyth and visitors from all over the country dropped by to also tick off the GRW.

 

At Last ...

A very slow spring for migrants suddenly got a little better.

Birding a patch on a daily basis and not having much luck. Shetland and Orkney putting news out of multiple arrivals makes it even worse. So two late arrivals on the patch really made the effort worthwhile.

A lot of Pine Pollen also made patching uncomfortable.

A couple of video clips of singing plants. Sorry the volume isn't very good.

 

Great Day Out

Lovely walk to Druridge this morning and avoided the heaviest shower. Saw a small  wader at Druridge and suspected it was a Little Stint but too distant to be certain. On the way back it was a little closer and it was clearly a Little Stint.

By now my morning was almost over. Dark clouds heading my way. So I texted AP about Stint and told him I was heading home before the rain. Oh no I wasn't. After crossing the stile to head home I heard the unmistakable, raucous call of a Great Reed Warbler. 

I sat down recorded the song and hoped for a glimpse. Eventually a pair of Reed Warblers were agitated by the GRW and chased into the vegetation. GWR made one brief appearance and my camera worked. Yes! Normally I get a blurred photo or an empty branch. The GRW then flew along the reedbed. Out of sight but most definitely not out of hearing range. A short deliberation and looking at the site I decided this bird could be safely twitched and I put out the news.

I also heard Cettis, saw Marsh Harriers, Avocets, Stonechats and 3 Little Gulls. Not too shabby!

Poland (part 1)

2nd June, 2015

After two short flights and a three hour drive (Big thanks to BB, who did the bulk of the driving) we arrived a Wizna. We dumped the bags and headed straight out for some early evening birding

Red-backed Shrikes were everywhere and even by the end of the trip they were still worth a look.

Next the boardwalk for one of the Polish speciality birds. Although distant they were singing in the open.

Aquatic Warbler

Moose/Elk

Jan's place

Garden full of birds; nesting Flycatchers, Storks and Whitethroats.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

My habit of getting up early was well rewarded on this trip.

Black Woodpecker

This pair (above) were just starting their nest building probably ready for next year.

The well established pair below had a substantial nest. Living plants on top and Tree Sparrows nesting in the lower storey.

This was in the garden of our accomodation.

Another LSW

Great Grey Shrike

Lesser Whitethroat another garden bird

Pied Flycatcher (in the garden).

White-winged Black Tern

'Marsh' terns were not as numerous as I had hoped and several other 'common' species were not found.

Ragged Robin

Fields full of flowers were a common sight.

Grass Snake

Map Butterfly (underwing more beautiful than the the upper).

White-backed Woodpecker

White Wagtail

Green Hairstreak

Banded Demoiselle

Great Reed Warbler

Poland Trip List

Great Reed Warbler

8 Points!