Aquatic Warbler - Soar 14/09/02 photo Tom Whiley
Had a bit of a sort out today and discovered this old photo of an aquatic warbler that I found down at Soar with Tom Whiley back in September 2002. Tom did well to get the shot as the bird was really elusive in juncus, in the field beside the converted barn. I've seen just three in Devon. The first, which I twitched down at South Milton Ley in August 1995, was followed just days later by a second which I found at the Passage House Inn on the River Teign. That bird showed well initially, early in the morning but was impossible to see during the day. Thankfully it performed brilliantly to an assembled crowd later in the day and the image of it perched up in the reeds, glowing yellow in the early evening light, will live long in my memory. The above bird was less cooperative, though it did sit up in a bramble hedge for a couple minutes before seeking sanctuary in the marshy area. Sadly aquatics have become harder and harder to catch up with in recent years.
This bird is why I wish I had been birding the Axe in the early 90's, I'm sure we would have picked one or more up. Sadly though the chances seem to the decreasing more as each year goes by. As for your Soar bird, I remember seeing that bird - twitched it courtsey of Phil Abbott.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve - it's a tricky one to get unless you're ringing in reedbeds. It's got to be a distinct possibility on the Axe with all that fantastic habitat and a great ringing team. Brian Heasman had two in successive years (I think) on the Otter in the mid 90s. They were both in reeds bordering juncus - exactly the same habitat as the Teign individual. Good to hear from you and glad you got the Soar bird. Matt
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