News broke mid-week of a Dusky Warbler been seen well and photographed at Filey Country Park!! When the news came out originally I could not get over to Filey, so I had to keep my fingers crossed hoping it would hang around until I could get over to see it.
18th November …. The Dusky was still showing well today so the twitch was on!!! As is the nature of warblers they can prove to be extremely elusive only showing for seconds or singing in the deepest part of an impenetrable Bramble … much to the frustration of gathered Birders!!
But amazingly this little beauty did none of those aforementioned actions …Instead the bird gave some great views and was calling too; a hard ‘check, check’ similar to a male Blackcap alarm call … sharp stone taps.
The bird spent most of its time feeding at the base of trees which were a mixture comprised of Sycamore, Silver Birch and Beech. Occasionally, the bird would make sorties into the lower | branches and feed on the small invertebrates that were living on the leave’s underside.
Dusky Warblers are rare visitors to the UK; their main wintering quarters are in South East Asia. In Spring they leave Asia and travel to their breeding grounds in Siberia. What a great little bird – a superb way to spend the morning!!
On the way back I stopped off at Wykeham lakes. After a few scans across the lake and yes… Jackpot !! Another very nice addition to my Year List and a female Red Breasted Merganser rounded off a great days birding.Unfortunately the light was not very good at all…. therefore photography was severely curtailed …. so all I can do is throw in a record shot!! However, what a great way to end a great day’s birding!!
