Dartford Warbler

This bird I've only seen a handful of times and getting good views is never guaranteed. There are only ways to improve your chances of getting a good view. One of these is visiting at the right time of year and when they are most active. Early Spring is a good time to try and see one of these very secretive Dartford Warblers. This is when they are looking for mates, singing a little more and just a little more showy.
On the whole these diminutive little warblers like to work their way through the gorse and occasionally sit atop.
I was having a very lucky year before the lockdown, but that coincided with me making more effort and trips out to see things so that I could get a list of 200 birds seen in the year. That may not now be possible, but at least I can look back to some very good looking birds already seen and ticked this year.

This female came to see who was walking past.

The male soon showed itself, but only fleetingly. It stayed low on the bush.