A Hobby over the water treatment works and dam early morning was a nice start to the month, a single Swift was also noted here as well as a good number of House Martins and a few Swallows. A single Stock Dove was also seen and a couple of Little Egrets were also present this morning. A quick early afternoon visit produced a further three Little Egrets flying in from the south.
Later in the day I received a phone call from Dave Chown telling me of a bird he had found late morning, it was very sensitive due to the species, location and access issues due to restrictions on the site because of COVID-19. We agree to return to the reservoir later in the day and upon arrival it didn't take long before I got a quick glance of the bird in question before after a slightly longer wait it started singing before showing very well and singing some more. We were watching, and listening to, a Marsh Warbler. The difficulty came in what to do about the news. As mentioned above this is a Schedule A bird in potential breeding habitat. There were breeding Reed Buntings in the same location, and our concern was birders and photographers traipsing through the vegetation trying to see/photograph the bird would cause unnecessary disturbance and damage to the habitat. Coupled with the fact that the site was closed making access even more difficult. It was a very touch decision but we decided to keep quiet about the sighting. Searches on the three following days failed to relocate the bird so as it happens it was a one-day-wonder. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo, when the bird was showing I was more interested in watching it than trying to get a record shot, but I did grab a snippet of song, though I admit it is not the best!
It was also heard to mimic several species including Quail amongst others. Copious notes were taken by the observers and Dave managed to get a photo and a rarities submission will be made in due course.
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