Blue Kangaroo
Active member
The African Reed Warbler is on the WP List. But it is unlikely to be ID in the field on plumage nor song. Has anyone got any ideas how to see this bird and feel that you have seen it ?
The African Reed Warbler is on the WP List. But it is unlikely to be ID in the field on plumage nor song. Has anyone got any ideas how to see this bird and feel that you have seen it ?
Go somewhere in southern Spain in June (so all migrants have long passed by): http://www.magornitho.org/2016/12/phylogeny-eurasian-african-reed-warbler-complex/Yes, simple. Go to somewhere in Africa where you'd feel as comfortable ticking it, as you would be comfortable ticking Reed Warbler at a point on the globe where Reed Warbler would be the expected of the two species :t:
Yes, simple. Go to somewhere in Africa where you'd feel as comfortable ticking it, as you would be comfortable ticking Reed Warbler at a point on the globe where Reed Warbler would be the expected of the two species. I'm pretty sure I didn't worry about African Reed Warbler being an issue, when I got my first 'dodgy range tick' Reed Warbler at Frensham Ponds in Surrey in the 70's :t:
Yes, simple. Go to somewhere in Africa where you'd feel as comfortable ticking it, as you would be comfortable ticking Reed Warbler at a point on the globe where Reed Warbler would be the expected of the two species. I'm pretty sure I didn't worry about African Reed Warbler being an issue, when I got my first 'dodgy range tick' Reed Warbler at Frensham Ponds in Surrey in the 70's :t:
Go somewhere in southern Spain in June (so all migrants have long passed by): http://www.magornitho.org/2016/12/phylogeny-eurasian-african-reed-warbler-complex/
Lumping makes more sense of course, but if you suggest something like that people get very upset...
I can tick a Reed Warbler as i know its song.
So you can tell them from African RW by song then
No as far as i know they sound the same which is something i think i mentioned in my first post nor can you tell them apart by sight.
That was my point. You've ticked Reed Warbler on Range.
That would apply to nominate Acrocephalus baeticatus baeticatus and other sspp resident in tropical Africa, but probably won't apply to migratory Iberian / NW African A. b. ambiguus?It's a short-distance migrant and can (apparently) be distinguished by its shorter wings.
That was my point. You've ticked Reed Warbler on Range.
For me if i see a Reed Warbler in Spain during say November. Then its going to be ticked as an African Reed Warbler.
No that doesn’t work as there could be overwintering European RW, the suggestion to go there in June is the advice to follow:t:
Why in June ? Will there not be European Reed Warbler there ?
Europeans will have moved through by then to breed further North, leaving just the Africans behind to breed there. I cheated a little and didn't quite wait till June; saw a couple seemingly on territory at La Rabida on 29th May.
That would apply to nominate Acrocephalus baeticatus baeticatus and other sspp resident in tropical Africa, but probably won't apply to migratory Iberian / NW African A. b. ambiguus?