MONDAY 10th June: Marsh Warbler located late in the day

At 1020pm arrived at Middleton NR for a moth trapping session with Justine Patton and there were three species of bird signing: 3-4 Grasshopper Warbler, 1-2 Reed Warbler and another warbler with a wide range of repetitious high-pitched trills, blackbird alarm-type, song thrush song, thrush nightingale like bits, sardinian warbler like rattling churr etc etc etc. I'm familiar with Blyths Reed Warbler and it did not contain the descending 'pee-poo' phrase I always associate with this species. Am not very familiar with Marsh Warbler and complete range of mimicry but this certainly seems by far the most likely explanation

It carried on singing until 1122pm with a few short breaks during the last 15 mins as though 'winding down'. Unfortunately there was a very clear sky and no further song prior to leaving at 1245hrs, despite a couple of Reed Warbler starting up for a bit. Hopefully it has not migrated.

At least one person is overnighting, so hopefully some early news. It's in the southern section of the central marsh and audible from the entrance gate to the sewage works. However, access may need to be the 'long way round' if the gate is locked in the morning

Unfortunately the starry conditions pre-todays weather front were irresistible and there was no sight nor sound after 1122hrs last night

Research and listening to tapes, as expected, confirmed the identification as Marsh Warbler with the likes of Blyth's Reed ruled out. There was not the remotest possibility that this was a Reed Warbler entering Britain's Got Talent - they can sometimes be a bit more adventurous than the usual chugging song but the basic rhythm is (invariably?) included within the structure of such birds. Nevertheless errors are made. Obviously |Sedge Warbler was quickly eliminated during the first 10 seconds!