Wednesday 25th January 2023 - Compton Dando STW.

 

Library Picture by Sergey Yeliseev.
Hume's Warbler

A very rare Hume’s Warbler was found about 10 days ago at Compton Dando sewerage treatment works, a lifetime 1st if we could find it, and yesterday the 3 Amigos had the opportunity to go and look for it as its location is only about 15min drive from Bath. Quite a lot of the drive was through country lanes that must have been ice bound at times judging by the amount of ice at the side of the road, but the roads were passable with care. On the journey  a Green Woodpecker flew in front of the car a year tick. When we arrived we saw that a few people were looking for the bird so hopes were high that it was still around and when we reached the spot they were looking from, we were told that 2 minutes ago the bird was on a bramble bush, As we waited for it to reappear we saw Blackbird Dunnock, Robin and Pied Wagtail, Then the Hume’s appeared from deep in the bush showing well even flying onto the filter beds before returning to its favorite bush. We watched it when it showed for about 40 minutes also seeing Chiff Chaff (another year tick) and Goldcrest before it was time to leave. On the way home we added Black Headed Gull, Lapwing, Buzzard, Lesser Black Back Gull and Carrion Crow. Back at home 2 male Blackcaps were in the garden, making it 3 species of warbler in one winters day.

 

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