Three shortish trips up to Orcombe Point today, with the clear highlight - a Melodious Warbler - picked up on its sparrow-like chattering call as I strolled along the coast path, first thing. Within a couple minutes it was showing quite well, feeding on Sloes and Blackberries, I think. It was so good to see so many migrants today, after weeks of pretty much nothing. Species logged included 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Garden Warbler, c30/40+ Yellow Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Wheatears, c15 Chiffchaffs, 8+ Tree Pipits, 4 Whitethroats, 6+ Willow Warblers, 6 House Martins, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and c30 Swallows. Lovely to see so many familiar faces this morning - Dave Stone, Derek, Libby, Paul, Rob, Steph and Andy.
Yesterday on Orcombe - 10+ Yellow Wagtails and 2 Willow Warblers. Off Mudbank - 8 Wigeon and 16+ Whimbrel.
On the 21st - 17 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Greenshank and 2 Wigeon.
Yellow Wagtail. Good numbers in with the cattle now, plus plenty moving through with Tree Pipits.
My first Garden Warbler of 2023. Was beginning to think I wasn't going to see one!
Spotted Flycatcher
Congrats on a terrific find, Matt. I've seen quite a few Melodious over the years (all UK) but never heard one call, so I'm quite envious! 😄
ReplyDeleteThank you Gav. Have heard them do the sparrow chatter before but they don't seem to do it habitually/repeatedly. I would honestly have walked straight past it had it not called. Apparently it didn't show again after 9am so very fortuitous indeed. All the best. Matt.
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