Yellow Browed Warbler in May? Wirral, UK (1 Viewer)

[Tavish]

Is this possible? On Monday I watched a bird fairly low up in a tree directly above me on the walk down to Inner Marsh Farm Hide (about 200 metres below the bench). I saw it for a while right above me and it constantly sang. I committed this to memory - the song in particular. Having consulted all my books and listened to clips online I am 100% sure that this was a Yellow Browed Warbler. The alternatives (Gold Crest and Firecrest) are all wrong on the song. When I googled it (after identification) I was delighted to se that YBW's are known at IMF. But in May? Is this possible? Like I say - for me, the date is the only doubt.

 

[OlaB]

We've actually have had two YBW here in Sweden this spring (and a Palla's Leaf at that) so I would say it sure isn't impossible. I guess it is even more of a big deal in the UK but yet.

 

[Jane Turner]

We've actually have had two YBW here in Sweden this spring (and a Palla's Leaf at that) so I would say it sure isn't impossible. I guess it is even more of a big deal in the UK but yet.

Yes, an enormous deal in Cheshire

 

[OlaB]

Yes, an enormous deal in Cheshire

B How rare are YBW in autumn over there? Spring observations is a pretty big deal here also.

 

[Jane Turner]

In Cheshire (on the west coast) its just about annual in Late Sept/Oct.

 

[OlaB]

In Cheshire (on the west coast) its just about annual in Late Sept/Oct.

Ok! Similar (or slightly less) as the Swedish west coast then. Wouldn't completely disregard this observation then. Stranger things have happened The song is after all quite distinctive.

 

[Tavish]

I wouldn't want to cause a migration of birders as I'm not as expert as most on here. Mind you, it seems these birds can be seen easily enough in the Autumn so I guess there's no danger of a traffic jam in Burton. I'm pretty thorough at looking things up. But mainly, as Ola says, that song was stuck in my head all afternoon. When I finally heard a clip on the internet that matched it it felt like a blessed relief. The RSPB website says that some may overwinter in the UK. I might pop down later and see if I can get a photo. The way the weather's shaping up, standing under a tree will be about right.

 

[Jane Turner]

Which is the internet clip that you are referring to with respect to the song?

 

[Tavish]

http://www.xeno-canto.org/europe/browse.php?query=yellow+browed+warbler

The 7th one down (Dave Curtis) just nailed it for me. It flew into a tree (Sycamore I think) right above the path and I looked up at it's underside for about 20 seconds at about 20ft high. It was making a sound like this throughout. Very hidey, it was, in the leaves. Once I dared to move, it flew off into the bushes on the railway line side.

It was very smart and small and very pale underneath. the pictures online look so right. I went home planning to listen to Goldcrests/Firecrests online but I couldn't get the sound. Then I was listening to alarm calls of Willow Warblers (similar?) but I wasn't convinced on the sound or appearance. I was very pleased to have identified this - then i start reading about autumn...How disappointing!

 

[OlaB]

http://www.xeno-canto.org/europe/browse.php?query=yellow+browed+warbler

The 7th one down (Dave Curtis) just nailed it for me. It flew into a tree (Sycamore I think) right above the path and I looked up at it's underside for about 20 seconds at about 20ft high. It was making a sound like this throughout. Very hidey, it was, in the leaves. Once I dared to move, it flew off into the bushes on the railway line side.

It was very smart and small and very pale underneath. the pictures online look so right. I went home planning to listen to Goldcrests/Firecrests online but I couldn't get the sound. Then I was listening to alarm calls of Willow Warblers (similar?) but I wasn't convinced on the sound or appearance. I was very pleased to have identified this - then i start reading about autumn...How disappointing!

Oh! That is not the song though but the call (as you now say). I can unfortunately see that it is easier to misidentify YBW from the call rather than song.

 

[Jane Turner]

What was it about it that made you think it wasn't a Willow Warbler?

 

[Tavish]

hi jane, it was the smart little wing bars/marks when perched That's why i was looking at gold/firecrests in the books. Willow W seems plainer in illustrations.

 

[Jane Turner]

Indeed they are without wing bars

 

[Tavish]

Been back but no sign. Got rock solid willow & sedge warbler and reed bunting all in plain view. Lots of black tailed godwit and a coupla avocet on the water. Can't complain.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

Is this possible? On Monday I watched a bird fairly low up in a tree directly above me on the walk down to Inner Marsh Farm Hide (about 200 metres below the bench). I saw it for a while right above me and it constantly sang. I committed this to memory - the song in particular. Having consulted all my books and listened to clips online I am 100% sure that this was a Yellow Browed Warbler. The alternatives (Gold Crest and Firecrest) are all wrong on the song. When I googled it (after identification) I was delighted to se that YBW's are known at IMF. But in May? Is this possible? Like I say - for me, the date is the only doubt.

Well if it looked like a YBW and was giving a 'sweeoo' call then that is promising. At a well watched site if you see something that looks or sounds odd I would get someone on it at the time, no harm done if it turns out to be something common.

Stephen

 

[Tavish]

Thanks Stephen. I agree. My sedge and willow warblers were confirmed by nearby experts today. Reed Bunting was mega distinctive in marking and activity. I may have a lightly pencilled tick against YBW till Autumn when i will seek to ink it in. Warblers drive me nuts. That may be my epitaph.

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Sounds like the one that got away.

CB

 

[bradinho]

Well if it looked like a YBW and was giving a 'sweeoo' call then that is promising. At a well watched site if you see something that looks or sounds odd I would get someone on it at the time, no harm done if it turns out to be something common.

Stephen

As Stephen says and w/o wanting to seem "ranty" was this "possible" reported to the staff/volunteers at IMF? I was working on Monday ... and trust me the staff here would certainly take a 5 min break to ratify it for you/everyone!