Twitching an Aquatic Warbler at Upper Beeding in Sussex - A "lifer"

Monday 11th September 2023

Just over 24 hours ago an aquatic warbler was reported at Upper Beeding just down the road from me near Steyning.  I couldn't go immediately because I was on the Ashdown Bird Group visit to RSPB Pulborough Brooks at the time. 

Thankfully the bird was still present today,  so, after lunch, I went looking for it - arriving at 3.15 pm to join 20-30 birders on the eastern banks of the River Adur.  

Unfortunately the bird had not been seen since 12.38.  I had to wait almost 90 minutes to get a view of the bird.  Most of the time  we were monitoring a large bush where the bird was last seen.  

• Eventually a couple of reputable birders decided to search the vegetation on the opposite side of the fence and flushed the bird which flew into the next bush along from where we were standing.  As we inched forward I had a nanosecond view of it as it flew out and went behind the bush and out of view.  
• Thankfully it landed on the opposite side of the river in the tall vegetation.  It moved around somewhat before showing brilliantly directly opposite to where I was standing. Paul Frost's image on Twitter captures brilliantly the view I got.  It was sitting on a prominent stem just 10 metres away!

courtesy of Paul Frost and Twitter

• It soon took flight and came across to our side of the river again, landing in the long grass in the adjacent field and out of sight.  

Having had good views of it perched and in flight I decided to leave.  It was becoming a bit of a chase and I wanted no part of that.

• The aquatic warbler is a regular but scarce autumn migrant to certain areas in southern Britain, visiting on its way between breeding grounds in eastern Europe and its winter home in West Africa. 
• Its dependence on a specialised and vulnerable breeding habitat means it has become a globally threatened and declining species.
• It is more yellow-brown and streaked than the similar sedge warbler with a distinct yellow crown stripe.

Well worth the travel and the 90 minute wait.  Yet another "lifer" -  my 5th this year and all in Sussex!

 2023 species count = 192

Uk Life List = 371