Two birds were on the menu this Saturday morning: firstly, the long-staying/returning white-spotted bluethroat at WWT Slimbridge; secondly, a marsh warbler at Yeovil Riverside Park. As usual I was travelling with Kev Heath (@kev07713) - he'd already managed to connect with the bluethroat on his third attempt, but the bird had started to show really well in recent days and he was happy to stop there on the way. We also were to meet up with his sister Karen (@hobbylovinglife) and her partner Dean Reeves (@worlebirder).
We could set out a little later than usual as the Member's gate doesn't officially open until 8.15am - we arrived with time to spare and five minutes ahead of Karen and Dean. It was raining! - that wasn't in the plan or the forecast we'd looked at ... it was meant to be a cracking day. We suited up and all made our way to the Shepherd's hut, joining a group of about 10 there already. We waited outside and in front of the hut as it was already occupied - a further four occupants wouldn't be possible. And anyway, the rain was not that heavy.
We were joined by a stream of people now numbering at least forty, standing with scopes and bins searching the reeds ahead. The news was out that the bird was showing well. We watched as warblers and buntings flitted around, everyone raising their bins and scanning with scopes as they appeared. Seven cranes could be seen across the water. Time marched on and a birder/photographer walked through the bodies and down the path to where the bird might show - everyone stood in astonishment that this path was still open and that someone would have the confidence to make that walk - it is open and they were completely within their rights to do it, just a little inconsiderate to the people standing and waiting patiently.
After an hour the bird appeared at the top of a stick protruding into the sky. Excitement rippled through the assembled birders. Scopes and bins were trained, cameras clicked. A life tick for me! and on my first attempt! We talked with a chap to our side who had been ten times, spent 24 hours searching and this was his reward. The bird showed really well, and for a prolonged period.
The bird then moved around and while perched in the reeds the bird was facing away which gave an opportunity to view the colourful tail, often overlooked. You can understand why when you see the vivid blue and the flash of white on the front.
The bird showed multiple times along the front of the reeds, but always at a distance. It then flew almost 50m left and out onto fence posts far to our left. Although still distant it was a bit closer and I took the opportunity to take some photos - not quite as natural as on the tree or reeds, but in clear view.
We eventually decided that it was time to go and have breakfast in the Visitor's Centre cafe - rolls with sausage and coffees. While sitting there an update on BirdGuides alerted us to the sighting of the marsh warbler near Yeovil. We finished breakfast and set off there - it would be a lifer for Kev, Karen and I - Dean has seen them already on a couple of occasions - you can really go off some people!
We parked in the car park advised in BirdGuides and walked towards the river passing a young chap on a bench who was keen to ask is we were going down for the marsh warbler. He'd seen others over the last couple of days and they had come back up with "smiles on their faces". We followed the path and reached the boardwalk which was indicated and the best place to view from. As we got to the boardwalk another birder was just leaving and told us he had seen the bird just before the shower of rain had started just minutes before. We started working along the boardwalk to get our turn with the marsh warbler - it was about half an hour before we heard a brief call, and an hour after that when we heard another. We could see bird relocating, some blackcaps, some reed warblers (and some probable reed warblers) - just not able to get an ID for our bird - fleeting views of birds that could easily be reed warblers. I resorted to taking photos of dragonflies, demoiselles, and flies to pass the time.
A few other birders arrived but even with all these eyes we couldn’t pick it up. Another hour went by, and we heard the bird again but there was just no prolonged singing, and it couldn't be found perching. Another half an hour past and we heard another call, but again it died away. A jay caught my attention as it skirted along the edge of the reeds and trees.
It was getting late for me to get home in time for our visitors, so we said our goodbyes and left Karen and Dean to wait some more. Another bird not wanting to play ball. Dean and Karen would eventually get a brief view but not even long enough for a photo. People the next morning had good views and produced some lovely photos, including Steven Carey.
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