Tuesday 12th September 2023: Aquatic Warbler: a local twitch!

 We were first alerted to this rare find on Sunday 10th; it was discovered beside the river at Upper Beeding during a Wetland Bird survey Due to other commitments we were not able to get over that day, and it took us three attempts before we managed to really connect with the bird. As the first in the area since 1853 (!) and a nationally scarce visitor, it drew in the crowds and the viewing area from the river bank pathway was rather constraining for the large numbers present. 

On our first  attempt,  after waiting patiently for some time with no sightings, a flurry of excitement swept through the good-natured crowd as a dog walker approached. The sea of birders parted amicably to allow a path through, and the throng waited in quiet expectation to see if this might flush the bird, whilst leaving everyone with a clear conscience that they had not pressurised the bird! This disturbance did not disappoint, and the bird was indeed flushed, but unfortunately the only views we  managed were the backs of an array of photographers and a fleeting brown blob flying at speed across the adjacent field. Gutting!

We returned again that evening, hoping the crowds may have dispersed. The numbers were indeed less, but sadly the behaviour of the gathered throng was less positive, with one young photographer deliberately trespassing into the field to attempt to flush the bird ‘before the light deteriorates’. The bird was flushed to the riverside undergrowth, where it was hounded by photographers with huge lenses, who repeatedly encroached  too close, such that it was forced to keep mobile with frequent forays to the far riverbank. Again, a highly unsatisfactory sighting, not worthy of a lifetime tick!

The following morning we were up early and on site before 7am. A small crowd had already gathered, and we were fearful of a repeat performance from last night. However, these photographers moved cautiously and kept a respectful distance. When the bird flew along the path they beckoned us over and pointed out where it had disappeared into the vegetation, and finally there in full view was this beautifully marked, stripe-headed Warbler, with mellow tawny hues offering perfect camaflouge. It didn’t stay in the same spot for long, but we were finally satisfied and headed home with a new lifetime tick!

Aquatic Warbler (photo Richard Allan)