Grasshopper Warbler male

 Somewhat late to see my first Gropper of the spring but its been a very poor year for them here -

spring warblers

 Warblers are filtering in with decent arrivals of Sedge and Reed Warblers this week with a few Grasshopper warblers while the Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs are getting down to nest building and Cetti's go from strength to strength ; Willow Warblers remain thinly spread and the disastrous lack of Swallows and House Martins appears to be spread throughout the UK 

September Grasshopper Warbler

 Seldom see Grasshopper Warblers at this time of year though I have found them still feeding young in September and have seen local birds in early October so some are clearly still around; this bird was in a hedge with a party of Whitethroats and a Willow Warbler; it was very tame and seemed to be unmoved by my presence so presumably a juvenile 

Grasshopper Warbler

 it has been a very slow spring to say the least but warblers are now finding their way in and their voice during sunny spells but the severe cold at night has certainly dulled the dawn chorus; Grasshopper Warbler here in habitat 

first Grasshopper Warbler hiding

 staying well hidden in the middle of a small hawthorn hiding from the hordes of walkers on the adjacent footpath

Grasshopper Warblers are in

bu pretty poor images -- this constant easterly wind has not helped 

Grasshopper Warbler

singing male advertising its second brood territory

Grasshopper Warbler, Common Tern and Barn Swallow

Whimbrel and Gropper

one of the singing Grasshopper Warblers at Rimac, get the bubble gum pink legs and feet, and part of the total of 74 Whimbrel we had there, 19 on the foreshore and 53 on the pasture fields just inland -- the largest spring gathering of Whimbrel I have seen for many years -- and we managed to miss the eagle!