Fordwich 09/01/22

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A calm, sunny day and a visit to Fordwich was in order, hopefully to catch up with the wintering Dusky Warbler.

The path alongside the river was very muddy, so I was glad of my Wellingtons. A flock of Siskin was soon found, feeding in nearby Alders, and in the same spot a Treecreeper was present, typically creeping up the trunk of a tree. An unusual high pitched call from within nearby woodland had me nonplussed, though another birder who had heard it earlier came up with the suggestion of Long-eared Owl.

At the reported area for the Dusky Warbler near the permissive path sign there was no sign of the bird, so after a while I continued on the path towards Westbere. The nearby lake held small numbers of wildfowl, though these did include a female Goosander, if fairly distant.

On the walk back I found out via WhatsApp message that the Dusky had been seen in pathside brambles west of the permissive path, and on reaching the particular spot heard the bird calling. It showed fleetingly in the brambles before being disturbed by walkers and disappearing for a while. Calling again the bird was refound 100 metres away, when it gave better views in the low vegetation.

Dusky Warbler

Dusky Warbler

Goosander

Heron and Black-headed Gull

Treecreeper



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