ML395916441
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
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- Playback
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Observation details
*Mega* here and (as far as I am aware) the 3rd London record. First record for Walthamstow marshes (Incidentally, the London 1st Dusky Warbler in Feb 2010 was at Tottenham Marshes/north end of Walthamstow reservoirs - adjacent to W'Stow marshes!). First detected by call (sharp, but liquid 'tack' - similar in essence to Lesser Whitethroat) while I was scanning through a mixed species tit flock at ~0900 on the edge of the Horseshoe Thicket (@51.571531, -0.054394). The bird appeared to be loosely associating with the flock, foraging low in willow carr and bramble thicket. Shortly after i heard the call, the bird gave good looks perched low in a willow. Clearly a Phylloscopus warbler with uniform 'mud brown' upperparts with slightly paler underparts. Pale legs (orangey, but not bright - thickness comparable to a Chiffchaff) and a very prominent supercilium, extending some way beyond the eye and thin bill (similar to a Chiffchaff). Undertail coverts the same pale as flanks. All features cf Radde's Warbler - (although this taxon effectively not an option considering time of year and location..). See recordings for call. The bird wing-flicked on one of two occasions I saw it well. After a brief bit of playback to secure better views (where i saw the bird the second time) it flew from the original location NE along the large bramble patch to the eastern side of the Horseshoe Thicket - firstly @51.572349, -0.053387 where Rhys Evans (first person on site after I put the news out) first heard it, the bird then relocated to the far eastern side of the thicket @~51.572382, -0.052848 where it continued to vocalise and feed low down in willows, giving (very) intermittent views until i left at ~10:45. Bird continued throughout the day and was widely twitched (although good views very difficult), eventually relocating to the Coppermill field area where it continued until dusk. Recordings all taken on an iPhone/ripped from video (I foolishly forgot my recorder..) - composite recording created.
Additional species
Technical information
- Recorder
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 8.38 MB