Dusky Warbler still present this morning at about 10.30 past the wintering migrant passerines sign along the old railway track. In the brambles beside the rhyme then moved across the track and through the woodland. Also a Sibe Chiffchaff nearer Ashcott corner, opposite the bridge that is being worked on. Record shot of the Dusky Warbler on my blog: http://www.robwilliams.blog.com
4-Jan-2016
Dusky Warbler still present this afternoon in the usual place, between the wooden bench, eastwards to just after the derelict gate-way that looks out over the marsh, seen briefly 4 times between 14:30 and 15:00 when mostly calling.
Dusky Warbler was calling frequently just east of the wooden bench north of the canal at about 3pm today, but it stayed at the back of the vegetation and I only had a couple of brief glimpses. Seemed to be moving further east but I couldn’t pick back up again.
Agree with Paul - had the bird not been calling it would have been virtually impossible to pick up as it kept mainly to low water-side vegetation after it had returned to its favourite spot.
I just wonder how many Chiffchaffs are wintering in the area - I reckon 10-15 perhaps including some quite yellowish birds - didn’t notice any “tristis” types though yesterday?
Invested a bit of time in the Dusky Warbler today and was rewarded with excellent views on several occasions. Majority of birders focused on the usual patch of vegetation east of the path to the Avalon Hide but it didn’t show here until about 1pm.
First saw the bird east (so further on away from Ashcott Corner) of the second viewing platform, south of the main / upper path, i.e. Walton / Street Heath side.
Saw it mid morning, again south of the main / upper path but this time just east of the first bridge over the rhyne near the ‘Autumn and winter visitors’ bird ID panel.
After 1pm the bird showed well on and off, until at least 2pm, in the vegetation north of the rhyne and east of the path to the Avalon Hide.
Bird is clearly covering a large area but perhaps wandering further today because of the calm conditions and warm sunshine on the south side of the main / upper path? Perhaps favouring the spot where the majority are looking in the afternoon when it gets some sunlight?
Can’t stress how important it is to know the call if you want to locate this bird.
The Dusky Warbler eventually showed well this morning on and off between 10-11am although elusive at times. In the usual area past the sign for the Avalon hide the bird was favouring a group of trees just past the first bench. Also the Glossy Ibis showed well between the two platforms, a smart male Bullfinch and the usual array of GWEs and duck made for a very pleasant Boxong day morning.
The Dusky Warbler showed fairly well this morning in the same area as yesterday, it even flew up higher into the willows in the sunny conditions, was calling frequently.
22-Dec-15
Finally caught up with the ‘proper’ Dusky Warbler this morning, just after meeting Tom Raven (the orig finder) who was just leaving. It had been calling a lot and showing well on the south-side of the canal just after 1st light, but had then moved to its normal site near the wooden seat on the north side of the canal, just east of the sign-post to the Avalon Hide. I had three good views, together with Dean Reeves, with it mostly calling as it moved short distances low through the scrubby trees bordering the lake between 10:15 and 10:45 hrs, it then became gradually harder to see and was only called intermittently up to 11:20 hrs when I left. It would seem that early morning is the best time-frame for seeing this bird.
Also present was a Sibe Chiffchaff (seen several times) and at least 3 common chiffs.
Managed to find the Dusky yesterday after searching for circa 3hrs, eventually located in copse (on call) just past path to Avalon Hide. Managed good views in the sun showing all key features plus the call enabled a confident life tick! Managed to keep on the bird for 40 mins and also managed to re-find it later with Julian by the bench, bird never strayed above head height and often in cover less than 12 inches high! It also spent some time in the reeds beyond the bushes like a reed warbler. Glad Tom tweeted its continued presence on Sunday morning!
The Dusky Warbler this morning (Monday 21st) calling almost constantly and in view briefly on occasions between 8:20 and 11:00. Frequenting an area in the scrub and reeds of about 150m from where the path goes to the Avalon hide and east towards the 2nd viewing platform
Dusky Warbler seen at 14.00, for about a minute, just West of VP2, near path to new hide, NOT calling though, but “fairly” happy with ID
Another extended dip on the Dusky warbler this morning at Ham Wall - now four days since it was last seen without even a sniff of it, but it would be easy enough to overlook it if it isn’t calling, so may still be present.
A pleasant enough morning anyway, with most of the usuals showing well - 3 Marsh Harriers, some cracking views of Cetti’s Warbler, even saw Bearded Tit and Water Rail. Best birds were the Water Pipits - one from VP2 showing well in scopes, then definitely 3 and probably 5 in the cut area between the first bridge after VP1 and the track to Avalon Hide. There may even be more - the 3 joined a flock of c15 pipits, seen only in flight, which were mostly Meadow Pipits, but not all birds seen well enough to ID.
11-Dec-15
No sight or sound this morning between 08:45 and 12:00 hrs.
Just to confirm the Dusky Warbler showed well several times but was generally elusive, although calling almost continually between 1530 and 1615. Almost dark when it disappeared so my guess is it will still be there in days to come.
Bird was associating with a mixed flock of Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrests and collybita Chiffchaffs (no sign of any tristis types) but in the 45 minutes never moved more than 30 metres.
Exact location as follows:
From car park take the upper path past first view point and at first bridge cross main drain to lower footpath and turn right. Where the path turns left to the new Avalon Hide bird was in the scrub immediately to the east. Heard and saw it first from this junction and it moved up to 30m to east. Favoured spot seemed to be the reed / scrub edge immediately in front of and to the right of the wooden seat.
Fingers crossed it sticks and the weather clears enough for it to show.
Loving the new website. Good work to all involved.
Paul
No sign of the Dusky Warbler again this morning, but news from Twitter is that it reappeared late afternoon (1530-1615) for Paul Marshall in very nearly the same spot, in scrub north of the wooden seat on the north side of the drain just east of the path to the new Avalon Hide. Calling constantly but elusive.
Weather forecast is unhelpful for the next couple of days at least.