Marsh Warbler - Cley

Just a few weeks after adding the Woodchat Shrike to my UK life list, I managed to add another lifer last weekend, in the form of a Marsh Warbler. This super little bird that was constantly singing it's heart out was in the reeds at Cley. Just a couple of hundred yards from the East Bank, it was hard to miss it's song, that was a repertoire of mimicry of other birds. I counted at least a dozen different bird songs and calls, from Blue Tit, Sparrow, Swallow, Swift, Bearded Tit, Linnet, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warbler and even the Oystercatcher. It was fantastic to stand just metres away and watch and listen. A super little show off of a bird. The short phone video is a must to listen to at the bottom of this post to appreciate it's mimicry.😀

Pied Flycatcher, Redstart

Well, these beauties have been back here for the last couple of months, and in fact they are now feeding their fledged young (look out for some more photos of these soon). Always a highlight off my year when the Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts return. I spend quite a lot of time waiting and watching. I know where they should be and where they like, so it's best just to sit, blend in and let them come to you when they know you are no threat. The males do all the singing and the females seem to work much harder at finding nesting material. 

Male Pied Flycatcher

Male Redstart

Woodchat Shrike - Daresbury

Last week, I made an after work dash to go and see a rare visitor to these shores, and an even rarer visitor to Cheshire. A stunning male Woodchat Shrike. Just the 6th record of one in Cheshire. This was found along a canal in Daresbury and was mostly seen on an electricity pylon waiting for passing bees. It should really be down in Southern Europe or the Middle East at this time, but I was grateful that it ended up just 15 miles from home. 

I actually saw my first ever last year while on holiday in Ibiza, so it was great to get it on the UK life list too. A great bird, and the photos don't really do it justice, but I was just delighted to see it and enjoy being nearby. 😀