News yesterday afternoon of a booted warbler in Northumberland had me praying it could be a Sykes`s warbler, as I hadn’t had a lifer for so long. After good photos of the bird were gathered, thankfully the Mega alert went off, but this wasn’t until 10.00pm, and I was at bloody work doing a nightshift. I was gutted and knew the bird would probably go over night. Anyway, after a few phone calls, Dianne said she would come in for me at 7.00am, and I would go on the news on my own as everybody was working. Thankfully, at 7.00am, the bird came out on the pager, so I started the long journey northeast. I did really well and arrived at Duridge Bay at 10.30am and didn’t have to wait long before the bird showed. This was a cracking record for the mainland, and the bird showed really well whilst on site.
Pictures Kindly Given To Me By Tom TamsAnyway, after viewing the bird and speaking to some of the lads on site, I started the long journey home content that I had seen another cracking bird for Britain.
There have been 12 previous records of this species in Britain and Ireland
2009 Sep 29 to Sep 29 Co. Durham 1 day or Booted Warbler: Marsden Quarry, 29th September.
2008 Sep 25 Shetland 1 day Sumburgh Head, Mainland, probably first-winter, 25th September, photo.
2003 Oct 4 to Oct 8 Shetland 5 days Baltasound, Unst, 4th to 8th October, trapped 5th October, photo.
2003 Sep 29 to Oct 1 Orkney 3 days North Ronaldsay, 29th September to 1st October, trapped 29th September.
2002 Aug 31 Sussex 1 day Beachy Head, 31st August, photo.
2002 Aug 26 Orkney, 1 day North Ronaldsay, trapped, 26th August, photo.
2002 Aug 23 Norfolk 1 day, Sheringham, 23rd August, photo.
2000 Jul 1 Dorset 1 day Portland Bill, trapped, 1st July, photo.
1993, Oct 22 to Nov 9, Shetland 19 days Seafield, Lerwick, Mainland, adult, 22nd October to 9th November, trapped 24th October, photo.
1990 Oct 17 Co. Cork 1 day Cape Clear Island, 17th October, photo.
1977 Aug 20 to Aug 27 Shetland 8 days Fair Isle, first-winter, 20th to 27th August, trapped 20th August, photo.
1959, Aug 29 to Aug 31 Shetland 3 days, Fair Isle, adult, 29th to 31st August, trapped 29th August.