Freezing Wymott Warbler Fest

[1swallow]

Just a magical place to be. I started off at 4.30 for the dawn chorus, in freezing conditions. There was frost covering all the vegetation. The moon and Venus were still visible when I arrived!

One of my main aims was to max out on the number of Warblers singing. I wanted to relocate the first Sedge Warbler I found on my local patch yesterday singing close to the railway line by the old landfill site, to have a chance of hitting 8 Warbler species.

I picked up 6 singing Warbler species in quick succession off Ridley Lane - Blackcap, Chiffchaff, a rattling Lesser Whitethroat, then the 2 monotonous singing Reed Warblers, followed by Willow Warbler and an agitated Whitethroat.

I carried on along Ridley Lane until I reached the area of rank grassland by the entrance gates to the old landfill site.Bingo! The Grasshopper Warbler started reeling away.

There was now only one direction I was heading for over the hill of the old landfill site to the railway line. When I arrived at the hedgerow the Sedge Warbler was there, right on cue, bursting into it’s excitable song.

Mission accomplished by 5.30!

Returning to Ridley Lane I noticed there were Whimbrels in the same area as yesterday. This time 3 could be viewed in the field just behind the entrance gates.

This early part of the day there were loads of Robins and Wrens in full voice in the woodland behind the metalled gates, with singing Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs producing a beautiful melody.

One bird species seen well today I have omitted. I’d love to also mention some of the mammals I’ve observed too, but I can’t due to forum restrictions to protect certain species.
Peter Scholes

[Jed Kirkham]

My kind of birding!
Out whilst most others are in their beds. Great report, the thrill of being out early is well evident. Mind, its not easy with a 4am alarm, and possibly not for every day...

Most of my early morning sorties on the moors during lockdown posted PM to Neil. Its easy to self isolate, that's for sure!