The Persistent Birder Rides Again!

After trying in vain to really properly observe the marsh warbler at Saltholme another turned up at Bowesfield Marsh nature reserve, Stockton-on-Tees. The reserve is not easy to find. I went four times. Heard and saw it [fleetingly] each time but no photos. So, decided to get up early...

...and on June 15th I arrived on site at 5.58, walked to the area I knew so well by now and waited. The bird began to sing, and sing, and sing. First photos at 6.26 am. Finally the bird did really show well - and repeatedly. Here comes the marsh warbler!

Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler Marsh Warbler

As I left I could hear [not for the first time] a grasshopper warbler. Several of us had tried to locate it on previous visits. This morning at 6.38 I spotted it and was able to photograph it from various angles as I moved around it without getting too close... Grasshopper Warbler

Grasshopper Warbler Grasshopper Warbler Grasshopper Warbler Grasshopper Warbler Grasshopper Warbler Grasshopper Warbler Grasshopper Warbler By 10.30 I had been back home to York, driven to Tesco to do the weekly shop [spotted by Barry at around 9.44] and was sitting at home drinking a cup of coffee.

Game, set and marsh, I think!!