Monday 29 April 2013

Grasshopper Warbler


A few days before I went ringing on Saturday, I was talking to Bill Morton at Frodsham Marsh (after school) about how desperate I was to see a Grasshopper Warbler. Bill explained to me the noise to listen out for. If you turn your bike upside down and then spin the back wheel round, that constant derderderder noise is just like the call of the Grasshopper Warbler.

Anyway when I arrived at High Town (where I was ringing on Saturday) me, Dan, my dad and Peter all heard at least three of these remarkable warblers singing at once. We decided to set up near where the warbler was singing to see if we could get any success, and the first time we went back to check that net there was one solitary Grasshopper Warbler. It was brilliant being able to study it close up, as normally they stay very low down in the grass and are hard to spot.


It wasn't just Grasshopper Warblers that were showing well on Saturday, a pair of White Throats also appeared for us. Me and Dan got to hold and ring one each, so I was really pleased with that.

Once again I want to say a massive thank you to Peter and my dad for letting me learn from this flabbergasping experience.

Overall we caught; Grasshopper Warbler, Wheatear, White Throat, Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Blackbird.

Wild Bird Wednesday
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12 comments:

  1. TexWisGirl29 April 2013 at 20:43

    that's a gorgeous bird.

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  2. theconstantwalker29 April 2013 at 20:47

    It's a lovely bird to see Findlay...

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  3. Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris29 April 2013 at 20:58

    Glad my school boy patch is still producing the goods for school boys 40 years later - long may it stay that way

    Keep up the good work

    Cheers

    DaveyMan

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  4. Adam Tilt29 April 2013 at 21:45

    Fantastic Findlay. Heard one of these for the first time myself on Saturday.

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  5. Douglas Mcfarlane29 April 2013 at 23:08

    A truly great sound it takes a while to spot them though:) Would give my left hand for a close up view that you got, well done

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  6. Rohrerbot29 April 2013 at 23:44

    Extremely cool bird!!

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  7. holdingmoments30 April 2013 at 18:04

    Still waiting to see my first of the year Findlay.

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  8. ShySongbird30 April 2013 at 19:18

    What a special encounter Findlay! There aren't many people who've seen them that closely. I've heard them but never captured one on camera.

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  9. mick1 May 2013 at 01:07

    Great photo of a beautiful bird.

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  10. Irma1 May 2013 at 09:14

    Beautiful pictures, well photographed.
    Best regards, Irma

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  11. eileeninmd1 May 2013 at 10:27

    Pretty bird and a lovely photo! Well done, Findlay!

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  12. Richard Pegler3 May 2013 at 13:32

    I'm very jealous Findlay. I've never seen a Grasshopper Warbler, let alone photographed one!! Another lovely post from you.

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