ML643218493

Observation details

Heard calling and seen in the reeds next to the Thick-billed Warbler; Small plain dark-brown warbler with pale supercilium, no streaks/spots, bright red legs; call reminiscent of that of Eurasian/Pacific Wren (the harsh chipping call); Distinguished from Dusky Warbler by call and overall coloration; Rule out Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler and Lanceolated Warbler by complete lack of streaking; Rule out Gray's/Middendorff's/Pleske's Grasshopper Warbler by much smaller size and habitat (these species migrate through E China along very coastal regions); Rule out reed warblers by smaller size, dark-brown color and short tail; Rule out Brown Bush Warbler by conspicuous eyebrow, dark color and shorter tail; Rule out Russet Bush Warbler by lack of rufous tone and much shorter tail; Rule out Chinese Bush Warbler by darker color, scaled undertail-coverts (though only vaguely shown in the photo), and (if possible) by call; Blurred photos taken; I thought I had recordings of the bird calling, but it seemed to be drown in other birds' sound and the noisy background (plane, high-speed train, etc.)