Grasshopper Warbler

For a couple of weeks this Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia showed well from Willows next to the Grand Union towpath at Marsworth Reservoir. In typical fashion the bird spent much of the time reeling from deep in tangled bushes or from low in the reeds, but occasionally it would perch half way up a small Salix and let rip. Despite the tree being so close to the busy towpath the bird seemed completely unconcerned by the noisy passers by and would often reel in the open for several minutes before flitting down into cover. Grasshopper Warblers are not easy to photograph at the best of times but this showy little bird gave all the local photographers a fighting chance to get some good shots, many of which far outshone my efforts. As time passed the bird became more and more elusive but it may still be around, although there have been no reports recently.

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia - Marsworth Reservoir (14/04/2012)

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia - Marsworth Reservoir (14/04/2012)