A Probable Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler – Easington, East Yorkshire

I was leaving work in Oxfordshire this morning and heading home when news broke that a Bonelli’s Warbler, found in a garden at Greenfield Bungalows, Easington, East Yorkshire, the previous morning, had been seen again. There had also been reports of it calling, and BirdGuides subsequently put the news out as an Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler. I couldn't get over that day, so I tried not to get too excited and carried on heading home, although I was certainly keeping a close eye on the news!

Bonelli’s Warbler was split into two species in 1997, with Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler (Phylloscopus orientalis) separated from Western Bonelli’s Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli). The two look remarkably similar, and when one is flitting around in the foliage, there isn't a great deal to separate them by appearance alone. Their calls are much more useful when trying to establish which species is present.

Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler breeds across south-eastern Europe and parts of western Asia before migrating to Africa for the winter. It is a fairly plain-looking warbler, with grey-green upperparts and pale underparts, and can easily be overlooked among other small leaf warblers. For birders hoping to identify one in Britain, listening carefully is particularly important. The calls of the two species are noticeably different. Eastern Bonelli’s gives a short, sharp 'chup', while Western Bonelli’s has a softer, two-part call. This was why I wasn't completely convinced by the identification at first. Although reports mentioned the bird calling, I wanted to know whether the sound had definitely been attributed to the bird itself. Any recordings would be particularly useful when the record is assessed by the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC).

The bird wasn't seen again until late afternoon, when it put in a brief appearance before disappearing once more. It was already sounding like this was going to be a seriously elusive bird! Access was also becoming an issue, with reports of birders entering private land and upsetting local residents, eventually resulting in the police being called. Not an ideal situation, and hopefully something that could be sorted out so people could enjoy the bird without causing further problems for those living there.

I'd already missed the 2014 bird at Scalloway in Shetland by just one day, having left for home before it turned up. Other opportunities in Shetland and Kent had also passed me by because of work commitments, while a bird reported in Lincolnshire this autumn had only been heard and was awaiting a decision on its identification. After missing out on several opportunities, I wasn't going to let another one slip through my fingers. With another chance to see this scarce visitor, I decided to head over the following morning and make a day of it around Spurn. There were plenty of other good birds being reported in the surrounding area, so even if the Bonelli’s Warbler proved elusive, there was still plenty to look for.

Jenna and I left home at 4.00am, but things didn't quite go to plan. Just after 5.30am, while heading across the M62 towards Spurn, we suffered a blown tyre. Not exactly what you want when you've got a long journey ahead and a rarity waiting at the other end! Thankfully, Green Flag were excellent and arrived within the hour, taking us through to Kwik Fit in Huddersfield, which opened at 8.00am. After a quick change of tyre, we were finally back on the road by 9.00am.

There had been no further news of the bird during the journey, so we were beginning to wonder whether it would still be around when we arrived. Then, just as we were about a mile from Easington, news came through that the bird was still present. Unbelievable timing! We parked up and made the short walk towards the garden, where I met up with Jason Oliver and Tony Barter, who very kindly put me straight onto the bird. A big thanks to both of you!

Probable Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler

(c) Pete Sutton

Birders on site

The bird showed several times in an apple tree directly in front of us, flitting restlessly among the leaves and behaving just like a typical Phylloscopus warbler. It was constantly on the move but occasionally came out into the open, giving us some decent views. I never heard the bird call while I was on site. I understand that sound equipment had been set up in the garden, although I can't confirm exactly what was being used or whether any recordings were obtained. Hopefully, any suitable recordings and the observations made by those who heard the bird will help establish its identity when the record is assessed by the BBRC.

With the Bonelli’s Warblers seen, Jenna and I moved on to check the surrounding area. We managed some fantastic views of both Pallas’s Warbler and Hume’s Yellow-browed Warbler, two cracking birds that added even more to the day.

Pallas’s Warbler

(c) Pete Sutton

Hume’s Yellow-browed Warbler

(c) Pete Sutton

With time getting on, we decided to call back at Easington for another look at the probable Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, which was still showing really well. We enjoyed a few more views before eventually heading off.

(c) Steve Nuthall

Despite the blown tyre and the early start, it had turned into another brilliant day in Yorkshire. Having missed previous opportunities to see this species, I was really pleased to have finally caught up with a probable Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler. Hopefully, any sound recordings and personal observations will provide the evidence needed to establish its identity and allow the BBRC to reach a decision.