Marsh Warbler at King's Meads

9th June 2020

A Marsh Warbler was found at King's Meads on the 6th June and under normal circumstances I would have driven the three miles to go and see it, but these are not normal circumstances. Not only a rare bird but also the weekend and therefore likely to be a fair-sized crowd, and on the narrow path across Broad Mead social distancing could be difficult. I therefore waited until Tuesday before venturing down there when the crowds should have subsided.

In the event it would not have been as bad as I feared because, although the bird was on Broad Mead, it was best viewed from the footpath along the New River which is as least 6 yards wide. However, I am glad I waited as with a wide path and just a handful of observers social distancing was easy.

The bird had adopted a fairly large Sallow some 35 yards from the footpath and was singing for most of the time, only leaving the bush now and again for a feed. When it was singing it was normally a few feet from the top but often obscured by twigs and leaves. However, occasionally it would come into the open and allow the assembled gathering to take some shots.

Quite an obliging bird compared with most Marsh Warblers.