• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Starting Blocks...Aquatic Warblers, UK... (1 Viewer)

I took this this morning. I'd heard a promising call about 1/4 mile south of where yesterday's bird was. Having spent most of the intervening daylight hours getting drenched watching twitching reeds and having no photographic or other evidence to show for it, I pulled out my video camera - which has a great microphone on it. As I was getting ready a bird popped briefly into view. I pressed the photo button and the bird flew off. I only saw it in flight... and it flew a long long way back towards the north end of the marsh, looking streaky and pale. Not having any reading glasses to hand, I couldn't see what I'd taken, but another birder said it looked promising. Now reunited with my glasses it does look promising, though the photo is pants and full of artefact.
 

Attachments

  • poss aquatic.jpg
    poss aquatic.jpg
    181.4 KB · Views: 282
Phil Andrews said:
Of the 114 reports in this 11 year period, the top locations are:

Somerset (esp Steart) - 6
Weymouth area (esp Lodmoor & Radipole) - 12
West Cornwall (esp Marazion) - 13
Isles of Scilly - 9
Shetland - 6
South Wales (esp Kenfig & Uskmouth) - 12
South Devon (esp Slapton, South Milton & Thurlestone) - 12
Portsmouth area (esp Farlington & Titchfield) - 10
East Kent - 7
Click to expand...

They come from the east but have a predominantly (south) westerly distribution... strange. One traditional site that hasn't yet been represented this yr is Titchfield Haven. This is one of just 3 non-BBRC's I've only ever seen once in the UK (Marazion in 1991). Despite the fact it should be a good part of the country my region (East Anglia) seems to be largely shunned by this species. Shame.
 
Jhanlon said:
Despite the fact it should be a good part of the country my region (East Anglia) seems to be largely shunned by this species. Shame.
Click to expand...

I remember one which spent the afternoon in the grass by the half moon pit at Cley and agve superb views. May have been in the 90s though.

cheers, alan
 
Phil Carter said:
How useful as an ID feature are the pointed tail feathers?

Phil
Click to expand...

Hi Phil,
I would say of limited value in the field: a Sedge Warblers feeding in wet grass is just as likely to have pointed-looking tail feathers at times. The rufous rump and overall darkness of your bird also suggest Sedge to me. There is much variation in overall colour tones with both Aquatic and Sedge, some juvenile Aquatics seem very pale and yellowish while others can be rather darker. Sedgies range from bright pale yellowish to much richer, rufous brown individuals and at this time of year many of them have a more or less pronounced central crown stripe (just broad, brighter pale fringes to these feathers rather than solidly pale). Lots of Aquatics have a narrow pale crown stripe that is often partially hidden by the blackish lateral crown stripe feathers so be careful if you come across a candidate with or without the central crown stripe. Basically a combination of criteria are required to clinch the genuine article. I often find the best feature to look for on a possible Aquatic are the pale lores which contrast well with the dark patch (of variable shape) behind the eye.

Both species, to me in any case, have a very different "character" or personality from each other. Aquatics often seem rather gentle, sometimes shy but curious. In the nets they are generally quiet, a bit "zen" (!), rarely struggle much during extraction and rarely make any noise. Sedge on the other hand are boisterous, more like a hyperactive teenager, perhaps more likely to just perch in view for just a second or two before disappearing into cover again. They usually much more active during extraction too and frequently make noises of discontent. These are all very personal impressions so sorry it they seem a bit vague !

All reedbed birds such as acrocephalus warblers are somewhat secretive and you only ever see a fraction of the number of birds present in the area on a given day as any ringer can confirm. The key to locating an Aquatic Warbler is habitat; get the right habitat and stake it out if you want to have any chance of finding one. We carried out radio-tracking last year on a number of individual AWs and they seemed to spend their active feeding time in the rushy / wet grassland areas before retiring to the nearby reedbed to roost, etc. ( p.25, Bilan du camp de Baguage Donges 2011 on http://www.acrola.fr/publications.html). If the conditions / habitat allows it then very slowly walking through the rushy areas making soft tongue-clicking "tuk" noises has worked for me in the past.

Jane, without doing a forensic examination of your photo I'd say it looks spot-on for an Aquatic ! :t:

Continued good luck to all of you

Eugene

PS: some more blurry, normally unpublishable photos attached to illustrate some of the above !
 

Attachments

  • AQUATIC,HABITAT.3609.JPG
    AQUATIC,HABITAT.3609.JPG
    235.1 KB · Views: 82
  • aw_v_sw.JPG
    aw_v_sw.JPG
    195.6 KB · Views: 91
  • aw_5977.JPG
    aw_5977.JPG
    164.2 KB · Views: 73
  • sedge_4966.JPG
    sedge_4966.JPG
    167.7 KB · Views: 82
  • aw_5975.JPG
    aw_5975.JPG
    176.2 KB · Views: 77
Eugene Archer said:
Hi Phil,
I would say of limited value in the field: a Sedge Warblers feeding in wet grass is just as likely to have pointed-looking tail feathers at times. The rufous rump and overall darkness of your bird also suggest Sedge to me. There is much variation in overall colour tones with both Aquatic and Sedge, some juvenile Aquatics seem very pale and yellowish while others can be rather darker. Sedgies range from bright pale yellowish to much richer, rufous brown individuals and at this time of year many of them have a more or less pronounced central crown stripe (just broad, brighter pale fringes to these feathers rather than solidly pale). Lots of Aquatics have a narrow pale crown stripe that is often partially hidden by the blackish lateral crown stripe feathers so be careful if you come across a candidate with or without the central crown stripe. Basically a combination of criteria are required to clinch the genuine article. I often find the best feature to look for on a possible Aquatic are the pale lores which contrast well with the dark patch (of variable shape) behind the eye.

Both species, to me in any case, have a very different "character" or personality from each other. Aquatics often seem rather gentle, sometimes shy but curious. In the nets they are generally quiet, a bit "zen" (!), rarely struggle much during extraction and rarely make any noise. Sedge on the other hand are boisterous, more like a hyperactive teenager, perhaps more likely to just perch in view for just a second or two before disappearing into cover again. They usually much more active during extraction too and frequently make noises of discontent. These are all very personal impressions so sorry it they seem a bit vague !

All reedbed birds such as acrocephalus warblers are somewhat secretive and you only ever see a fraction of the number of birds present in the area on a given day as any ringer can confirm. The key to locating an Aquatic Warbler is habitat; get the right habitat and stake it out if you want to have any chance of finding one. We carried out radio-tracking last year on a number of individual AWs and they seemed to spend their active feeding time in the rushy / wet grassland areas before retiring to the nearby reedbed to roost, etc. ( p.25, Bilan du camp de Baguage Donges 2011 on http://www.acrola.fr/publications.html). If the conditions / habitat allows it then very slowly walking through the rushy areas making soft tongue-clicking "tuk" noises has worked for me in the past.

Jane, without doing a forensic examination of your photo I'd say it looks spot-on for an Aquatic ! :t:

Continued good luck to all of you

Eugene

PS: some more blurry, normally unpublishable photos attached to illustrate some of the above !
Click to expand...

Cheers Eugene, excellent info.

Phil
 
Jane Turner said:
I took this this morning. I'd heard a promising call about 1/4 mile south of where yesterday's bird was. Having spent most of the intervening daylight hours getting drenched watching twitching reeds and having no photographic or other evidence to show for it, I pulled out my video camera - which has a great microphone on it. As I was getting ready a bird popped briefly into view. I pressed the photo button and the bird flew off. I only saw it in flight... and it flew a long long way back towards the north end of the marsh, looking streaky and pale. Not having any reading glasses to hand, I couldn't see what I'd taken, but another birder said it looked promising. Now reunited with my glasses it does look promising, though the photo is pants and full of artefact.
Click to expand...

Any tips on locating it jane, assuming your not on hand to help of course?

CB
 
Early morning or after rain. Keep away from people chatting and listen for a soft & deep (compared to Sedge/Reed) It doesn't carry far. It did respond to calling to it..and pishing by scuttling up for a few seconds.

It was seen this evening back up at the north end, where I first saw it y'day, though the photo above, assuming its a an a: Aquatic and b: the same bird was taken in the very last bush going south, though it took off like a rocket and flew out of sight north again. Which would look like not only is is secretive, its also ranging over a huge area.

The south end looks like perfect Aquatic habitat. When it was showing well on Sunday morning, it was in the willow-herb between the reed-bed and the board walk.
 
Nice one Jane!:t:
And some great Aquatic Tips being posted everyone!:t:

AQUATICON MEDALS TABLE:

10 Aug 2012: SOUTH MILTON LEY, DEVON
12 Aug 2012: MARAZION, CORNWALL (trapped.) http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk/
12 Aug 2012: PORTLAND BILL, DORSET (trapped and seen in field.) http://www.portlandbirdobs.org.uk/aa_latestnews.htm
18 Aug 2012: LYTCHETT BAY, DORSET - 2 trapped. http://www.dorsetbirds.blogspot.co.uk/
[NORTH DORSET - 1 trapped (further details awaited.)]
19/20 AUGUST 2012: RED ROCKS, MERSEYSIDE. 1 seen. (Jane Turner)

(Possible at Marazion, 19.8.12? Awaits further details...)
 
Thanks Phil. I got that news too.
They used to trap plenty there when I was a youngster.B :)

In the table, please feel free to check, and offer any new developments etc., so it can be kept up to date and accurate as poss. Thanx.
I've added a "pending" section, where details are scant about sighting, or they are merely possibles. Any further info is welcome on these. They will be dropped if no details eventually appear.

AQUATICON MEDALS TABLE:

AUGUST 2012

10th: SOUTH MILTON LEY, DEVON
12th: MARAZION, CORNWALL (trapped.) http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk/
12th: PORTLAND BILL, DORSET (trapped and seen in field.) http://www.portlandbirdobs.org.uk/aa_latestnews.htm
18th: LYTCHETT BAY, DORSET - 2 trapped. http://www.dorsetbirds.blogspot.co.uk/
19/20th: RED ROCKS, MERSEYSIDE. 1 seen. (Jane Turner)http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=2518487
21st: STEART, SOMERSET - 1 seen.http://pub13.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=1065729998&frmid=14&msgid=905872&cmd=show

[PENDING - more info needed:
18th: NORTH DORSET - 1 trapped.
19th: Possible at Marazion.]
 
Last edited:
Had a nice yellow Sedgie this morning, with especially clear mantle lines... but look at the lores and the flaring upwards super.
 

Attachments

  • sedge.jpg
    sedge.jpg
    92.4 KB · Views: 109
Thanks Phil! :t:

AQUATICON MEDALS TABLE:

AUGUST 2012

10th: SOUTH MILTON LEY, DEVON
12th: MARAZION, CORNWALL (trapped.) http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk/
12th: PORTLAND BILL, DORSET (trapped and seen in field.) http://www.portlandbirdobs.org.uk/aa_latestnews.htm
18th: LYTCHETT BAY, DORSET - 2 trapped. http://www.dorsetbirds.blogspot.co.uk/
19/20th: RED ROCKS, MERSEYSIDE. 1 seen. (Jane Turner)http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=2518487
21st: STEART, SOMERSET - 1 seen.http://pub13.bravenet.com/forum/stat...05872&cmd=show
23rd: CHURCH COVE, (Gunwalloe), CORNWALL -trapped/ringed. http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk/


[PENDING - more info needed:
18th: NORTH DORSET - 1 trapped.
19th: Possible at Marazion.]
 
Warning! This thread is more than 12 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.

Similar threads

Paul Freestone
Majorca Trip Report - September 2022
Replies
1
Views
1K
Phil Andrews
Phil Andrews
Farnboro John
Birding Obituary: Audrey Dixon 13 April 1933 to 10 July 2018
Replies
19
Views
3K
John Cantelo
John Cantelo
opisska
Georgia/Armenia 25.4-7.5.2019
Replies
9
Views
3K
wolfbirder
wolfbirder
opisska
Israel December 2018
2 3
Replies
59
Views
8K
Paul Chapman
Paul Chapman
wolfbirder
Israel - 4 days birding the Negev Desert in late September 2017
2
Replies
28
Views
9K
wolfbirder
wolfbirder

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top