Barred Warbler at Grimley Worcestershire

BARRED WARBLER at Grimley, Worcestershire - October 16th 2011

The first county record

A juvenile Barred Warbler was caught during a routine ringing session at Grimley during the early afternoon of October 16th. Being
a Sunday, a good number of local birders were able to descend on the site in time for the release. An area of bramble scrub and willows
was chosen as the release location and it was hoped that the bird would provide views to those observers unable to arrive prior to release.
However, the bird had other ideas and upon release it promptly gained height and headed over a line of horse chestnut trees and was
lost to view. Despite a search of the immediate area, it was never seen again. Barred Warblers are scarce but regular autumn migrants,
especially along the east coast with smaller numbers occuring down the west coast as far south west as the Isles of Scilly. Inland records
are far rarer and this record constitutes the first for Worcestershire. One trapped and ringed at Brandon Marsh, Warwickshire in 1979
is the only other record for the West Midlands Recording Area.

Juvenile Barred Warbler at Grimley Worcestershire. Photo: Brian Stretch

Juvenile Barred Warbler at Grimley Worcestershire. Photo: Andy Warr

Site Map