Previously “Diary of a Birding Medic”; “Rugby Birder”; "Bempton Birder”. All views expressed in this blog are my OWN and do not represent the opinions or policies of any organisations or entities whatsoever with whom I have been, am now or will be affiliated. Reference to Bempton Cliffs in NO way promotes the organisation known as RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but rather the FREEdom of the cliffs.

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Wood Warbler @ Draycote Water!

Wood Warbler


Well, what a day! Another awful day weather wise and I was pleased that my car was booked in for its service, as I doubted going anywhere! That is until a phone call from Tim Marlow alerted me to a Wood Warbler at Draycote Water. Panic! No transport! I was becoming increasingly anxious with thoughts returning to the Roseate Tern (dipped) a few days ago. Eventually the garage phoned, all was well with the car so it was off to sunny, well dull, drizzly and cold Draycote! News also included a summer plumaged Red Knot on Farborough Spit, but alas, despite looking long and hard, it was not seen. Meeting Dave Hutton and Bob Duckhouse (plus a few others), the Wood Warbler was silent, until a very quiet "trill" was heard and the bird was located. Unfortunately, the dullness of the day and the darkness of the woodland made photography a challenge, and the ISO was upped, which my camera does not like! The Wood Warbler was quite mobile, and of course it knew how to hide itself behind vegetation! Overall, i'm quite pleased with the following images, albeit rather grainy!


Wood Warbler









Of course, other birds caught my interest including Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Dunlin, Swallow and Wheatear. All in all, not a bad couple of hours birding (in the drought!).

Yellow Wagtail






White Wagtail



Dunlin


Swallow


Wheatear



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8 comments:

  1. ShySongbird3 May 2012 at 20:00

    I'm amazed you got such good photos on such a miserable day Kevin, well done! And on tracking down the lovely little Wood Warbler.

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  2. Kevin Groocock3 May 2012 at 20:06

    Thanks Jan! I must confess that someone else found it! Phone call from a friend put me on to it!

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  3. Jerry3 May 2012 at 22:49

    Great birds to brighten up the day (especially) that Wood Warbler - years since I last saw one on my birding patch!

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  4. ShySongbird4 May 2012 at 00:48

    Yes, but it could have been gone by the time you got there! It wasn't and you still had to actually find it so I still say well done :-)

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  5. Kevin Groocock4 May 2012 at 06:18

    Indeed Jerry! Would have loved it in better conditions and of course, crisper images!

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  6. Kevin Groocock4 May 2012 at 06:20

    Thats very true, Jan! I'd not seen one in Warwickshire since c2003, so an important viewing!

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  7. Andrew Haynes4 May 2012 at 08:58

    Well done Kevin, some excellent images of the Wood Warbler , and some lovely Wheatears

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  8. Kevin Groocock4 May 2012 at 09:25

    Cheers Andrew. Just a pity about the light!

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