Mystery Warbler UK (1 Viewer)

[Sandpiper]

This bird was feeding at the base of the reeds at Titchwell Marsh RSPB in Norfolk, UK recently. It was very active, almost Chiffchaff-like. The pale eye-ring, pale legs and rounded tail seem obvious ID features but I am baffled as to what it is. The attached shots are cropped videograbs taken through my scope in early evening at a range of around 50-60 yards.

Any comments or opinions welcomed. Thanks in advance.

Mike

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Mike,

its a Reed Warbler.
Even with only the stills, you just can make out the right acrobatic movements of a warbler adopted to vertical reedbeeds. (yes this came into my mind)
Colours and blend face with the obvious, but not whitish or yellow eye-ring is also good.
And an entire pale lower mandible without a dark top is bad for a Phylloscopus warbler

 

[Jinac]

Garden warbler i'll said...but wait more experts...

Edit : oups...the beak seem to long for a garden but to short for a reed no ? (reed is Acrocephalus scirpaceus isnt'it ?) maybe Acrocephalus palustris ?

 

[THE_FERN]

Garden warbler i'll said...but wait more experts...

maybe Acrocephalus palustris ?

Definitely not a garden warbler (e.g. undertail coverts). Marsh warbler is possible but unlikely (rare in UK)

It's quite warm brown so I see nothing wrong with (common/Eurasian) reed warbler

 

[Sandpiper]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I was leaning towards Reed Warbler as the most obvious choice due to habitat but the face pattern did not look right to me. Perhaps it is a juvenile.