The wind had died down a bit and conditions were a bit calmer but still icey cold. I heard a call a few times resembling the Blyths Reed Warbler call thats been heard recently. 3 times a small brown bird flew across the brambles, it probably was the Blyths but just like yesterday I wasnt entirely happy as there was a Dunnock hanging around again, and a sudden glimpse of a brown flash didnt confirm it for me.
- c35-40 Pied Wagtail on ground at viewing area - 2 Grey Wagtail - 1 Merlin came racing through, scattered them all and gave chase to one over the fIlter beds. - 5 Linnet - 2 Meadow Pipit
I was on my own at first but then nice to see Alan Patterson and co who turned up a little later. (Alan I think I met you a few years back at Woolston Eyes).
Craig Higson said
Sun Jan 27 12:05 PM, 2019
Pete Hines wrote:
Craig Higson wrote:
John Rayner wrote:
(Craig, Mike Passant mentioned the pale leg colour early on in this thread. A Google search for images shows many have paler legs).
Cheers John.
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 26th of January 2019 11:53:58 PM
Hadnt seen that post or the subsequent ones! Will have a look for some online images too. Cheers John!
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Sunday 27th of January 2019 08:21:27 AM
233 images to choose from in one place in OBI. Oriental Bird Images should be your first port of call
No definite sight of sound of the Blyths Reed warbler for me by 11am. 2 brief flight views of what was probably the bird and also thought I heard it call twice but as Colin says very hard to be sure in the strong wind.
Alex Lees said
Sun Jan 27 11:05 AM, 2019
1387 pics here in case anyone has finished with OBI:
Two green sandpipers and a chiffchaff in the sewage works today, no sign of the Blyths reed warbler or water pipit up to me leaving at 10.15. I did think that I heard the warbler at about 9.30 but it was so windy and the call was so faint that I couldn't be sure.
The warbler certainly does appear to have pink legs, it's not just a blip with my camera
-- Edited by colin davies on Sunday 27th of January 2019 11:13:22 AM
John Rayner said
Sun Jan 27 8:52 AM, 2019
Pete Hines wrote:
Craig Higson wrote:
John Rayner wrote:
(Craig, Mike Passant mentioned the pale leg colour early on in this thread. A Google search for images shows many have paler legs).
Cheers John.
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 26th of January 2019 11:53:58 PM
Hadnt seen that post or the subsequent ones! Will have a look for some online images too. Cheers John!
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Sunday 27th of January 2019 08:21:27 AM
233 images to choose from in one place in OBI. Oriental Bird Images should be your first port of call
Just wondering if anyone else had similar thoughts about the bare part colour on this bird. I was surprised (re-enforced having seen some more pictures) at how pale its legs were. Is there a lot of variation in bare part colour in this species? Must admit I thought they had darker legs than this bird has. Not disputing its ID of course, just curious about the level of variation.
Rob Creek said
Sat Jan 26 5:21 PM, 2019
Early afternoon visit.
Lbj seen briefly twice in flight between bramble bushes, supposedly it was the Blyths Reed Warbler but in all honesty it was that quick it was impossible to put an identification to it. Id love to say Id seen it but i cant from that split second glimpse. By all accounts it showed ok this morning, but whilst I was there it was very elusive, it was being reported on the info services mid afternoon and some birders were a bit amazed as to whod seen it to call it. There was a Dunnock in the same area, and then a Robin flew across between the Brambles which fooled some but you could see the red breast.
Other birds of note... - probable Water Pipit (on fIlter beds) - 2 Meadow Pipits - 3 Grey Wagtails - 1 Mediterranean Gull - 2 Green Sandpiper (or same one seen twice) - 1 Sparrowhawk - 1 Willow Tit (near Greenfold Way roundabout)
Andy Isherwood said
Sat Jan 26 5:09 PM, 2019
No sight or sound of Blyths Reed warbler between 3pm and 4.30ish in very poor weather. At least 1 Green sandpiper seen several times. Pipit sp. (Rock or water) heard and seen to fly towards main lagoons c.3.40pm. 27 Linnet flew from lagoons into filtration area. As Craig says some behaviour left a lot to be desired but unfortunately comes as no surprise anymore.
John Rayner said
Sat Jan 26 4:27 PM, 2019
As well as frequently giving a short, sharp 'tek' call, I heard the Blyth's Reed Warbler give a more drawn out, buzzy rattle, 'trrrrrt' (but on one ocassion only).
Cheers John
Craig Higson said
Sat Jan 26 3:47 PM, 2019
Hearing rumours that birders are walking into the brambles, presumably in an attempt to flush the bird. Totally unnecessary.
Simon Warford said
Sat Jan 26 3:42 PM, 2019
Fantastic morning at Hope Carr with many birders seeing the Blyths Reed Warbler up to 12.30pm it was calling frequently from 9am but was hardly calling after 11.30am. Other stuff seen included 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Green Sandpipers, 140 Teal, 30 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 5+ Tree Sparrow, male Yellowhammer, Marsh Harrier (John Raynor and Dave Broome) and a probable Water Pipit on the filter beds where there was also 3+ Grey Wagtails, several Meadow Pipits. Brian you can view the filter beds from the mound or perimter fence but the birds were often dropping down into the deeper beds that you cant see into.
brian fielding said
Sat Jan 26 3:22 PM, 2019
Is it possible to see into the filter beds where the possible water or rock pipit was
Simon Johnson said
Sat Jan 26 12:53 PM, 2019
Also A water / rock Pipit has also been heard and seen flying round on a couple of occasions on the filter beds this morning
dave broome said
Sat Jan 26 12:09 PM, 2019
In addition to the Blyths Reed Warbler, still showing occcasionally up to midday, other birds included a Marsh Harrier flying south late morning, initially picked up by Bill Harrison, plus Chiffchaff
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 26th of January 2019 12:10:14 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jan 26 11:42 AM, 2019
For further information on the location of the Blyth's Reed Warbler see the, admittedly slightly in need of an update , site guide and map below, taken from the Manchester Birding website site guides.
The bird is frequenting the northern edge of what used to be the hidden pool (now filled in with a big sewage tank built on it!) and the junction of pools 15 and 16a. Best accessed via the road heading north up alongside the industrial units and then bearing west along the sewage works permitter fence.
Half decent views of the Blyth's Reed Warbler near the sewage works fence between 09.55 and 10.20 this morning. Calling frequently and flycatching at one point. Very skulky and fast moving through the brambles. Good few people there with grins at when I left.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jan 26 10:16 AM, 2019
Blyth's Reed Warbler has now been seen and is calling frequently but is very elusive.
Info thanks to Simon Warford
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Jan 26 9:58 AM, 2019
Blyth’s Reed Warbler heard only around its usual location on four occasions at around 09:15 this morning but not seen.
Info thanks to Simon Warford
colin davies said
Fri Jan 25 2:43 PM, 2019
10:00 - 13:15
Iceland gull 1 3rd winter flew over west at 13:00.
Mediterranean gull 1 adult with full black hood with black-headed gulls on sewage works
Green sandpiper 1
Tree sparrow 5
Snipe 1 flew over
Teal 80+
Gadwall 25
Shoveler 15
Tufted duck 12
Again no sign of Blyth's reed warbler this morning. 44 species today without really trying, I spent most of the time hanging around the warblers favourite brambles.
-- Edited by colin davies on Friday 25th of January 2019 03:24:12 PM
Patrick Earith said
Thu Jan 24 2:51 PM, 2019
Still no sign by 13:30, but, at least I had a Chiffchaff for company!
colin davies said
Thu Jan 24 1:38 PM, 2019
Again no sign of the Blyth's reed warbler up to 12 noon. Observer numbers much reduced today. Since it was last seen on Tuesday morning it's endured heavy snow or sleet showers Tuesday afternoon, then freezing over night temperatures, freezing fog all day yesterday and more fog today. It's really hard to believe that it's moved on. I still think that if we get a nice sunny day it might re-appear, though nice sunny days are more elusive than Blyth's reed warblers this winter so I'm not holding my breath.
Also today, 10 shoveler, 20 Teal, 2 goosander, 20 gadwall and 1 willow tit.
pete berry said
Wed Jan 23 6:02 PM, 2019
Andy and I were discussing yesterday how elusive the bird can be,it showed reasonably well on Sunday when it was first found and Andy commented that it was fairly sunny for most of the time the bird was on view that day.Yesterday it showed for about 20minutes in the morning whilst the sun was out,and just as I was leaving the sun disappeared and it started sleeting,it was apparently only seen for a couple of minutes after this and hasn't been seen since. It seems to prefer the tops of the brambles when the sun is out,but must skulk deep in the vegetation when the sun disappears.Hopefully we should get some sunny weather soon so everyone can catch up with it.
colin davies said
Wed Jan 23 2:31 PM, 2019
Still no sign of the Blyth's reed warbler when I left at about 13:30. Despite the forecast of bright unbroken sunshine, the reality was freezing fog which still hasn't lifted and I'm sure didn't help. In the past 2.5 days, the bird has shown for just one hour yesterday. Definitely elusive!
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Jan 23 12:44 PM, 2019
No sign of the Blyth’s Reed Warbler so far today.
colin davies said
Tue Jan 22 5:30 PM, 2019
No further sign of the Blyth's reed warbler since this morning.
colin davies said
Tue Jan 22 5:03 PM, 2019
Mike Passant wrote:
I cannot get down to Manchester presently so have been perusing Colins photos. The main surprise for me is the very pale appearance of legs and feet, even allowing for the effect of light conditions these appear to be very pale (almost translucent) pink. - Any views on this please?
Cheers,
Mike P.
The only photo of mine in which you can truly see the legs is the second one, but look at how odd the rest of the colours are. The bird looks like it's got dark grey upperparts and very pale underparts whereas on every other photo it looks more brown. I think it's a trick of the camera. If you look at what bit of the leg you can see in the fifth photo, it clearly looks brown. We heard the bird calling on many occasions this morning with a 'tack' which reed warbler apparently never utters, whilst the emarginations clearly point to Blyth's reed. Basically it's a rubbish photo which probably would be better deleted.
-- Edited by colin davies on Tuesday 22nd of January 2019 05:14:39 PM
Mike Passant said
Tue Jan 22 1:59 PM, 2019
I cannot get down to Manchester presently so have been perusing Colins photos. The main surprise for me is the very pale appearance of legs and feet, even allowing for the effect of light conditions these appear to be very pale (almost translucent) pink. - Any views on this please?
Cheers,
Mike P.
Pete Hines said
Tue Jan 22 1:51 PM, 2019
Green Sandpiper 1
(no Blyth's Reed again 11.35-12.45)
JOHN TYMON said
Tue Jan 22 1:28 PM, 2019
The Blyth's Reed Warbler showed last at 11.10 in the same area in the snow shower,then went back into cover and wasn't seen again up to me leaving at 12.30.
colin davies said
Tue Jan 22 12:05 PM, 2019
Here are a few photos from this morning in the sun, generally all missing everything that is needed to clinch the id! As Pete has said, it showed well and called frequently, probably for about 30 minutes I'd say.
The Blyth’s Reed Warbler showed well on and off for 10 mins in the sunshine this morning just before 11am,calling frequently and showing on tops of brambles before the snow shower set in and and it disappeared back into the brambles.
Ian McKerchar said
Tue Jan 22 10:21 AM, 2019
Blyth's Reed Warbler still present at 10:15 this morning; in the same vicinity though elusive but calling.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
JOHN TYMON said
Mon Jan 21 3:09 PM, 2019
No sign of the Blyth's Reed Warbler up to 2.30. 1 chiffchaff present in same area,a nice flock of linnets and redpoll, and several groups of pink footed geese going north the largest was 150.
-
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 21st of January 2019 06:26:40 PM
colin davies said
Mon Jan 21 1:31 PM, 2019
Nine whooper swans flew over heading west at 10.10.
pete berry said
Mon Jan 21 11:56 AM, 2019
No sign of the Blyth’s Reed Warbler by 11.30am,good chance it's overwintering and been there all autumn so probably still around.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Jan 21 11:27 AM, 2019
Alex Lees wrote:
Ian McKerchar wrote:
The Reed Warbler is now thought to be a Blyth's Reed Warbler after studying video footage.
Please only park in the car park at Hope Carr or along the main road beyond the roundabaout. The bird is frequenting patches of brambles along the very northern edge of the settling beds by the actual sewage works plan perimeter fence by the three tall green tanks.
Please only follow paths and under no circumstance cross gates or fences to access areas.
Exactly the reason the bird has been put out Alex and the ‘probable‘ is only out of some caution due to it all being off images alone and against initial thoughts in the field.
Alex Lees said
Mon Jan 21 11:13 AM, 2019
Ian McKerchar wrote:
The Reed Warbler is now thought to be a Blyth's Reed Warbler after studying video footage.
Please only park in the car park at Hope Carr or along the main road beyond the roundabaout. The bird is frequenting patches of brambles along the very northern edge of the settling beds by the actual sewage works plan perimeter fence by the three tall green tanks.
Please only follow paths and under no circumstance cross gates or fences to access areas.
No further sign of the probable Blyth’s Reed Warbler so far today.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Pleaee keep only to paths and under no circumstances trespass by crossing gates or fences.
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Jan 21 10:37 AM, 2019
The Reed Warbler is now thought to be a Blyth's Reed Warbler after studying video footage.
Please only park in the car park at Hope Carr or along the main road beyond the roundabaout. The bird is frequenting patches of brambles along the very northern edge of the settling beds by the actual sewage works plan perimeter fence by the three tall green tanks.
Please only follow paths and under no circumstance cross gates or fences to access areas.
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Jan 20 3:07 PM, 2019
A Reed Wabler present this morning in a Bramble patch close to the sewage works perimeter fence has been checked at close range by observers (thouch can be elusive) and is thought to be an Eurasian Reed Warbler and nothing more.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Sep 30 10:18 PM, 2018
2 Green Sandpiper and 50+Teal at 5pm today.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Sep 8 10:38 PM, 2018
Green Sandpiper present this afternoon.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Aug 30 10:22 PM, 2018
Pintail still present this evening.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Aug 26 8:47 PM, 2018
Pintail and Green Sandpiper present this evening.
Info and Pintail record shot thanks to Phil Rhodes
Called in on way back from Warrington.
The wind had died down a bit and conditions were a bit calmer but still icey cold. I heard a call a few times resembling the Blyths Reed Warbler call thats been heard recently. 3 times a small brown bird flew across the brambles, it probably was the Blyths but just like yesterday I wasnt entirely happy as there was a Dunnock hanging around again, and a sudden glimpse of a brown flash didnt confirm it for me.
- c35-40 Pied Wagtail on ground at viewing area
- 2 Grey Wagtail
- 1 Merlin came racing through, scattered them all and gave chase to one over the fIlter beds.
- 5 Linnet
- 2 Meadow Pipit
I was on my own at first but then nice to see Alan Patterson and co who turned up a little later. (Alan I think I met you a few years back at Woolston Eyes).
Cheers Pete (and Alex) for those links. I also found this if anyone is interested, although I expect it's a bit out of date now.
https://britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/article_files/V77/V77_N09/V77_N09_P393_411_A110.pdf
1387 pics here in case anyone has finished with OBI:
https://ebird.org/media/catalog?taxonCode=blrwar1&mediaType=p&q=Blyth%27s%20Reed%20Warbler%20-%20Acrocephalus%20dumetorum
Two green sandpipers and a chiffchaff in the sewage works today, no sign of the Blyths reed warbler or water pipit up to me leaving at 10.15. I did think that I heard the warbler at about 9.30 but it was so windy and the call was so faint that I couldn't be sure.
The warbler certainly does appear to have pink legs, it's not just a blip with my camera
-- Edited by colin davies on Sunday 27th of January 2019 11:13:22 AM
The leg colour variability is probably down to lighting conditions or photographic artifacts/camera settings.
Cheers John
233 images to choose from in one place in OBI. Oriental Bird Images should be your first port of call
http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?keyword=Blyth%27s+Reed+Warbler
Hadnt seen that post or the subsequent ones! Will have a look for some online images too. Cheers John!
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Sunday 27th of January 2019 08:21:27 AM
Peter Stansfield sent me this excellent photo of the Blyth's Reed Warbler he took this morning and gave permission for me to post it here. Enjoy.
(Craig, Mike Passant mentioned the pale leg colour early on in this thread. A Google search for images shows many have paler legs).
Cheers John.
-- Edited by John Rayner on Saturday 26th of January 2019 11:53:58 PM
Lbj seen briefly twice in flight between bramble bushes, supposedly it was the Blyths Reed Warbler but in all honesty it was that quick it was impossible to put an identification to it. Id love to say Id seen it but i cant from that split second glimpse.
By all accounts it showed ok this morning, but whilst I was there it was very elusive, it was being reported on the info services mid afternoon and some birders were a bit amazed as to whod seen it to call it.
There was a Dunnock in the same area, and then a Robin flew across between the Brambles which fooled some but you could see the red breast.
Other birds of note...
- probable Water Pipit (on fIlter beds)
- 2 Meadow Pipits
- 3 Grey Wagtails
- 1 Mediterranean Gull
- 2 Green Sandpiper (or same one seen twice)
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 1 Willow Tit (near Greenfold Way roundabout)
No sight or sound of Blyths Reed warbler between 3pm and 4.30ish in very poor weather. At least 1 Green sandpiper seen several times. Pipit sp. (Rock or water) heard and seen to fly towards main lagoons c.3.40pm. 27 Linnet flew from lagoons into filtration area. As Craig says some behaviour left a lot to be desired but unfortunately comes as no surprise anymore.
Cheers John
Is it possible to see into the filter beds where the possible water or rock pipit was
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 26th of January 2019 12:10:14 PM
For further information on the location of the Blyth's Reed Warbler see the, admittedly slightly in need of an update , site guide and map below, taken from the Manchester Birding website site guides.
The bird is frequenting the northern edge of what used to be the hidden pool (now filled in with a big sewage tank built on it!) and the junction of pools 15 and 16a. Best accessed via the road heading north up alongside the industrial units and then bearing west along the sewage works permitter fence.
Hope Carr Site Guide
Half decent views of the Blyth's Reed Warbler near the sewage works fence between 09.55 and 10.20 this morning. Calling frequently and flycatching at one point. Very skulky and fast moving through the brambles. Good few people there with grins at when I left.
Blyth's Reed Warbler has now been seen and is calling frequently but is very elusive.
Info thanks to Simon Warford
Blyth’s Reed Warbler heard only around its usual location on four occasions at around 09:15 this morning but not seen.
Info thanks to Simon Warford
10:00 - 13:15
Iceland gull 1 3rd winter flew over west at 13:00.
Mediterranean gull 1 adult with full black hood with black-headed gulls on sewage works
Green sandpiper 1
Tree sparrow 5
Snipe 1 flew over
Teal 80+
Gadwall 25
Shoveler 15
Tufted duck 12
Again no sign of Blyth's reed warbler this morning. 44 species today without really trying, I spent most of the time hanging around the warblers favourite brambles.
-- Edited by colin davies on Friday 25th of January 2019 03:24:12 PM
Still no sign by 13:30, but, at least I had a Chiffchaff for company!
Again no sign of the Blyth's reed warbler up to 12 noon. Observer numbers much reduced today. Since it was last seen on Tuesday morning it's endured heavy snow or sleet showers Tuesday afternoon, then freezing over night temperatures, freezing fog all day yesterday and more fog today. It's really hard to believe that it's moved on. I still think that if we get a nice sunny day it might re-appear, though nice sunny days are more elusive than Blyth's reed warblers this winter so I'm not holding my breath.
Also today, 10 shoveler, 20 Teal, 2 goosander, 20 gadwall and 1 willow tit.
Still no sign of the Blyth's reed warbler when I left at about 13:30. Despite the forecast of bright unbroken sunshine, the reality was freezing fog which still hasn't lifted and I'm sure didn't help. In the past 2.5 days, the bird has shown for just one hour yesterday. Definitely elusive!
No sign of the Blyth’s Reed Warbler so far today.
No further sign of the Blyth's reed warbler since this morning.
The only photo of mine in which you can truly see the legs is the second one, but look at how odd the rest of the colours are. The bird looks like it's got dark grey upperparts and very pale underparts whereas on every other photo it looks more brown. I think it's a trick of the camera. If you look at what bit of the leg you can see in the fifth photo, it clearly looks brown. We heard the bird calling on many occasions this morning with a 'tack' which reed warbler apparently never utters, whilst the emarginations clearly point to Blyth's reed. Basically it's a rubbish photo which probably would be better deleted.
-- Edited by colin davies on Tuesday 22nd of January 2019 05:14:39 PM
I cannot get down to Manchester presently so have been perusing Colins photos. The main surprise for me is the very pale appearance of legs and feet, even allowing for the effect of light conditions these appear to be very pale (almost translucent) pink. - Any views on this please?
Cheers,
Mike P.
(no Blyth's Reed again 11.35-12.45)
The Blyth's Reed Warbler showed last at 11.10 in the same area in the snow shower,then went back into cover and wasn't seen again up to me leaving at 12.30.
Here are a few photos from this morning in the sun, generally all missing everything that is needed to clinch the id! As Pete has said, it showed well and called frequently, probably for about 30 minutes I'd say.
The Blyth’s Reed Warbler showed well on and off for 10 mins in the sunshine this morning just before 11am,calling frequently and showing on tops of brambles before the snow shower set in and and it disappeared back into the brambles.
Blyth's Reed Warbler still present at 10:15 this morning; in the same vicinity though elusive but calling.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
No sign of the Blyth's Reed Warbler up to 2.30. 1 chiffchaff present in same area,a nice flock of linnets and redpoll, and several groups of pink footed geese going north the largest was 150.
-
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Monday 21st of January 2019 06:26:40 PM
Nine whooper swans flew over heading west at 10.10.
No sign of the Blyth’s Reed Warbler by 11.30am,good chance it's overwintering and been there all autumn so probably still around.
Exactly the reason the bird has been put out Alex and the ‘probable‘ is only out of some caution due to it all being off images alone and against initial thoughts in the field.
emarginations visible here: https://twitter.com/BoltonBirder/status/1087114680785604609
No further sign of the probable Blyth’s Reed Warbler so far today.
Info thanks to Andy Makin
Pleaee keep only to paths and under no circumstances trespass by crossing gates or fences.
The Reed Warbler is now thought to be a Blyth's Reed Warbler after studying video footage.
Please only park in the car park at Hope Carr or along the main road beyond the roundabaout. The bird is frequenting patches of brambles along the very northern edge of the settling beds by the actual sewage works plan perimeter fence by the three tall green tanks.
Please only follow paths and under no circumstance cross gates or fences to access areas.
A Reed Wabler present this morning in a Bramble patch close to the sewage works perimeter fence has been checked at close range by observers (thouch can be elusive) and is thought to be an Eurasian Reed Warbler and nothing more.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
2 Green Sandpiper and 50+Teal at 5pm today.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Green Sandpiper present this afternoon.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Pintail still present this evening.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Pintail and Green Sandpiper present this evening.
Info and Pintail record shot thanks to Phil Rhodes
3 Green and a single Common Sandpiper this evening.
Info thanks to Phil Rhodes
Common Sandpiper present this afternoon.