Today I'm on a flexi off work.
This morning I popped out to feed the birds just as it was getting light, and as I approached the seed bin I heard an unusual nasal 'chuck' call, a bit like a Brambling flight note. It was coming from the brambles behind my shed? The bird, sounded quite alarmed, and I assume I had disturbed it from its roost maybe, but the call was very unusual so I dashed for the bins and camera and went to investigate...
Mind racing with deja vu, I was not going to be caught out this time...
After a few seconds of waiting a movement in a small elder overhanging the brambles caught my attention. 'You wont get me this time, Blackcap' I'm mumbling to myself, when out pops a Barred Warbler! In the effing garden!!
It clambered up and snatched an elderberry then dropped from sight, and was now typically silent again.
Thinking, surely not, I waited for what seemed like an age before a head peeped over the stone wall and hopped up again. Camera poised I managed the worst images of a wild creature you will ever see, but please just squint and use your imagination or hold a proper Barred photo up beside it and you'll get my drift...
I put the message out to the pager at 8.50am, but as of 9.25 it hasn't come on. I told you, you cant make any mistakes in this game...
Anyway dont laugh....click on the image for an even worse screen filler....
Thats it, THERE, IN THE MIDDLE FACING RIGHT!
Tell me I'm not going mad, its a Barred Warbler look at the uppertail coverts...
If it eventually does get daylight today, I will try again..
Barred Warbler. On the garden list. Yes.
Afternoon. No further sign of Barred Warbler. It's supposed to be brighter tomorrow so I'll give it another go then...This afternoon me and Bunty had a walk down past the pond, and on to the Long Walk. There are a few rowans with berries on here so I fancied a Waxwing for the OFFH list. Apart from 2 Great spotted Woodpeckers, there were few birds to be seen, but the local Red Squirrels made up for it...
Two or three were gathering acorns high up in the oaks, mostly looking like this -
But eventually one came much lower, to check out Bunty...
I'm pleased to say, no further sign of a Grey...
7 comments:
And I thought my Shetland Barred Warbler photo was bad!
Hi Andy, Oh yes, when it comes to poor photos, I take some beating...
Yes, I sometimes take them and have to throw them in the bin, then I am depressed, really depressed.
Super squirrel pics, Stewart. I've not had one on my garden yet but they are nearby.
What a great surprise garden visitor - I thought I did ok with my Blackcap today :-(
I also jealous that you have still got Elderberries!!!
I can confirm your sighting defo an elderberry, and your photographic skills are on keel with mine. Getting to have a very enviable garden list
And a valiant attempt at a photo of the warbler I'd say. Love the squirrel pictures.
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