Yellow-Browed Warbler - Martin Mere, Lancashire

With freezing but clear conditions I visited Martin Mere, Lancashire this morning with Austin driving. The main attraction was a Yellow-Browed Warbler which had been present for a few days just outside of the reserve near the sewage works.

We arrived at about 9:30am and made our way along the frozen paths to the outer fence of the sewage works, where a line of hedgerows and trees runs parallel. There were already a couple of birders present, and it wasn't long before we spotted the Yellow-Browed Warbler. The bird showed at close range, but typically for this species was nearly always obscured by branches. It had a habit of working the hedge line before jumping up onto the fence and then flying into the sewage works. We saw it actively looking for spider webs on the concrete tanks of the sewage works.

One of the few moments where the Yellow-Browed Warbler didn't have a million branches in front of it!

The angle was never quite right when the bird landed on the fence

The area was full of birds, presumably because the area wasn't frozen over compared to the surrounding land. Lots of Pied Wagtails, Chaffinches, Reed Buntings, Dunnocks, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrests, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long-Tailed Tits. There were also 4+ Chiffchaffs. Some of these looked particularly pale, and Siberian Chiffchaffs have been reported from the area.

One of several Chiffchaffs, probably tristis

Another Chiffchaff that showed well. All of the individuals that showed well looked quite pale

The Chiffchaffs and Yellow-Browed Warbler regularly dropped to the floor in the sewage works

Just outside the reserve, we had a brief look for the Bewick's Swan reported in the fields over the last few days. Unfortunately, the bird wasn't there, with around 50 Whooper Swans and a few Greylag Geese present. A Brown Hare also showed well.

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