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. As is the nature of warblers they can prove to be extremely elusive , only show for seconds or sing 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 our return route we 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!!
