Cheers for the uopdates, Sid, can you believe I still haven't been and with it showing so well for pics I really should do, but I have found 2 in the UK myself in the past (holidaying in Dorset helped!!). Probably down to lack of coverage or even folk not reporting it in! I bet it was only looked for for short periods yesterday but was actually still there on territory. My West Mids birding mates say there are long periods with no-one on site now. Long staying rarities eh?!!! Bet we'd have still been visiting the Red-throated Pipit if it had stayed as long
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 11th of July 2015 10:38:37 AM
Another Lifer, and yet another continental European Warbler in the shape of a fantastic Melodious Warbler.
As said before, we could hear it well before we were on it. It showed well and then disappeared, then showed well again, and so on. All the while, it hardly stopped banging out the most fantastic song which was a mix of different bird calls and jingly whirling sounds. Started off as a bit of a chatter like the Eastern Olivaceous Warblers that I've seen recently, then it became almost Blackbird like, then it was random jingling type notes that made for quality listening!
Other birds of note... -2 Green Woodpecker including a lovely juvenile showing well on a tree trunk, and an adult seen twice so could possibly have been 3 altogether -plenty of Stock Doves feeding in the sand works -2 Skylark -lots of Wren activity (Both of these species seemed to be having a sing off with the Warbler but lost) -2 Tufted Duck over -1 Common Buzzard -plenty of Goldfinch -few Linnet m -1 Dunnock -1 Whitethroat heard only
This morning was the first chance I have had to get down to the Midlands to see the Melodious Warbler. Arrived at 08.00 and could hear the bird before we saw it, singing his head off in the bushes on the side of the bridleway at the south west corner of the organic recycling area.
Had great views of this new bird for me, as Phil said a real treat. Thanks to John Barber for driving on what was his second trip down there in two days.
Great views on Sunday 14th June of the Melodious Warbler. The bird is currently showing well opposite Marsh Lane Nature Reserve in Hampton in Arden and within a couple of minutes of arrIving, I was soon treated to great views as it sang away on various branches.
At one point, the bird landed on a gorse bush in full view only feet away (if only I was a photographer!) and continued to flit from tree to tree, still singing away as I left an hour and a half later.
Although I had seen the species before, it was a real treat to have such good views and I would urge anyone to go and pay a visit.
A great record and only the 3rd for the West Midlands I believe.
-- Edited by Phil Owen on Tuesday 16th of June 2015 11:34:33 PM
