28/10/2015 Pallas's Warbler near Beachy Head

Wednesday 28th October 2015
Horseshoe Plantation
Beachy Head, Sussex

I decided to twitch the Pallas's Warbler that was reported this morning on Rare Bird Alert.  Paul had arrived some 20 minutes before me and, along with the other birders, was fortunate to see the warbler at it's best in the bushes on the perimeter of the west side of Belle Tout Wood. 

• Unfortunately it decided to move around before I got there and it was some time before we found it again moving with the Long-tailed Tits and the Blue Tits.  It moved so quickly from place to place and I was not able observe it using my binoculars. 

• We followed it to the side of the wood and out onto the slopes but always unable to get a good, clear sighting.  After 90 minutes or so, feeling somewhat frustrated, I left to go home for lunch, intent on returning in the afternoon to try for better views.

• I invited Shaun to join me for the late afternoon session and we met up with Alastair who had come from work to twitch the warbler.  It had been showing well earlier but, like this morning, it had gone walkabouts before we got there.

Pallas's Warbler
Library picture

• Quite soon we were on to it but we were again unable to get good views as the bird moved rapidly around the low trees.  This time however we all managed to get several fleeting views of the bird in our binoculars - enough to see the key ID features, much to our delight.

• Other birds seen included a female/juvenile Blackcap, a Sparrowhawk, a couple of Peregrines and several Goldcrests .

Quite a chase but well worth it - this bird is a real beauty!  Satisfied but intent on getting longer sightings in future.






Addition to BUBO UK Life List of Birds:
Pallas's Warbler  (308)


Additions to BUBO UK 2015 List of Birds:
Pallas's Warbler   (269)




Pallas's Warbler

• The Pallas's Warbler is a rare  migrant to Britain, turning up in varying numbers each autumn.
• They should spend the winter in southern China but incredibly some make it to our shores.
• This arrival is normally associated with easterly winds which carry the birds to the east coast around mid-October to early November.

• The key features are the bold eye and crown stripe and the pale lemon yellow rump.