Dartford Warbler on Wanstead Flats

A fungus foray on behalf of the Wren Group led by Tricia Moxey in Bush Wood had to be left as far as I was concerned, having received a call that there was a Dartford Warbler nearby, on Wanstead Flats.

I have never been an avid twitcher, but as far as I know there has never been a record of this species in the area so I decided that at least this warrented a look for myself. Also, I've rarely ever seen a Dartford Warbler.

There were two people already looking for it in broom near the model aircraft field, shortly joined by myself and later a fourth. Its general location was known, and there were a couple of fleeting glimpses, but not for me. However, persistence paid off after two of the group had left, for the bird began to make its scolding sound, albeit from low down and out of sight. Then a possible movement away from us, then in the distance the sound again - and there it was, perched at the top of a hawthorn in classic pose. Not much more than a silhouette, really, but I'm quite happy to have caught sight and sound of this new bird to our area.

Dartford Warbler on Wanstead Flats. Picture by Jonathan Lethbridge

Paul Ferris, 31 October 2009