Wood Warbler - Binn Green

I'd not seen a Wood Warbler for a few years, and so was really pleased to hear that one had been seen not far from me. I got up nice and early so as to beat the traffic and crowds, and was in place by 6am. I could hear it singing from the moment I stepped out of the car. It was hopping between branches and going up into the canopy, but all the while was really belting out it's lovely song. It was quite dark in the woodland, so I had to wait a little while for the sun to penetrate and give me some light. The longer I stayed the better the light got. Such great birds, that have travelled from Africa to spend it's summer with us here in the UK.

Wood Warbler

Garden Warbler

One bird that I seem to struggle with each year, is the Garden Warbler. and when I say struggle with, it's particularly the song. After so many months of not hearing one and having my ears fine tuned, this bird often sounds like a loud or excitable Blackcap. Add to that their secretive nature, and reluctance to sing nicely out in the open for all to see, it's been a bit of a bogey bird. Fortunately I now have a reliable spot for them just down the road, but it still takes my ears some getting used to distinguish between this and the Blackcap. 

Not a very exciting looking bird, with no obvious colouration or detail. It more than makes up for that with it's song. Nice to have them back for another year.

Long-billed Dowitcher - Norfolk

There has been a Long-billed Dowitcher present around the North Norfolk coast most of the winter. During this time it had been in it's rather grey winter plumage, but over recent weeks it has moulted into it's much more colourful summer breeding plumage. It has been associating with the Black-tailed Godwits, but is much smaller than these and clearly likes the security they provide. From watching this bird it behaves similarly to a Snipe and resembles a large version of one. Great to see and have the privilege of viewing this at close quarters.

Long-billed Dowitcher

Seen here in flight with Black-tailed Godwits and  Avocets just a few weeks earlier. It is the smaller bird just off centre, still looking very grey.

And here on the centre left tucked in behind the Avocet.