A couple of weeks ago me and Chris Orders decided to venture to the southern climes of West Sussex in search of a rare visitor to Britain that had decided to spend the winter in a place called Pagham Harbour. This bird was the Paddyfield Warbler, a small, short-winged, boldy face patterned relative of the more familiar Reed Warbler. This warbler comes from central Asia and should have been spending the winter months in the Indian subcontinent, but instead ended up in the U.K.
This bird had been present for a number of weeks and so we thought that there would only be a few others there, how wrong we were! As you can see from the above photos (supplied by Chris), there were upwards of 70 people present, all vying for a glimpse of this exotic little beauty.
On arrival at the site we were greeted with the news that the bird had been showing rather well, right up to our arrival, but had now disappeared. We started our vigil. Whilst scanning a distant patch of reed I noticed a small bird `flycatching`, settling on top of some barbed wire and then dropping to the floor where it was out of sight. I was sure that this was the bird. I was proved correct when the bird showed again and I managed to get others onto it as it moved slowly closer, always remaining in the reeds, apart from when it was `flycatching`. The bird showed well for 20-25 minutes, giving good scope views and I even managed to get a few digiscoped images. However, on inspection of these images I discovered that I had some stunning shots of a reed bed and a rather blurry picture of what I think is a brown bird with an obvious eye stripe! Gutted! I did, however remember that I am a birder first and a photographer second (some may say third!). We both managed to see this lifer, the majority present `ticked` this bird for the first time in Britain and we left with another tick in our book.
For a stunning photo of this bird click HERE
It's wonderful to see a little visitor can attract so much attention... the guys at work originally took the P a few years ago after finding out my love of wildlife.. I am now the oracle they come to as they see things they hadn't seen before..
ReplyDeleteWell done on the lifer.. record shots will never replace good memories..
It always amazes me how many people have an interest in birds. We all know someone who says that it`s weird to look at birds and in the next breath ask you about a bird they have seen in the garden! Not all birdwatchers are twitchers, but all twitchers are birdwatchers.
DeleteJ
Hi John, What a fine bird! Still, looks a bit parky for growing rice in Pagham just now.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Rob
Hi Rob,
DeleteIt was a stunning bird, very crowd pleasing! Yes, it was a bit parky, although the sun was out!
J
Greetings John,
ReplyDeleteThanks for another intriguing article. And indeed, I clicked and noted that beautiful bird. Thanks John and may you have a most peaceful, positive weekend.
With respect, Gary
Hi Gary,
DeleteThank you. I am glad you liked the photo, I only wish that I could have produced something like that, I do, however have a better photo in my minds` eye!
J
A very nice 'tick' John. The only one I've seen was skulking in a reedbed in Bulgaria.
ReplyDeleteHi Frank,
DeleteYes, a good bird to get in the book. I have never seen another and probably not likely to either.
J
Congratulations John on the lifer. You are right the pictures are secondary, I struggle to remember that most of the time, snapping away instead of looking more through my bins.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike,
DeleteThank you. I did have to remind myself to look at the bird, but when I did I managed to take in its` beauty.
J
A super image and great tick for you John. I often wonder what becomes of these rare vagrants that appear so far from home. Do they return to their native areas. Who knows.
ReplyDeleteHi Roy,
DeleteIt is a cracking shot, isn`t it! I think some birds will make it back to where they should be, they have got here, so hopefully they can get back.
J
Well done John, a great tick!. Like Roy, I always wonder what happens to them eventually and feel rather sorry for a little bird so far from where it should really be...
ReplyDeleteHi Jan,
DeleteThank you. As I said to Roy, I am pretty sure that a lot get back to where they should be. Nature has blown them off course and we have to remember that this is a natural event, sad though it is.
J