April is certainly a great time of year. Winter is over for good and the days get longer, the sun shines a bit more and the bird interest turns to migrants arriving to set up breeding territories. Insects, particularly butterflies and bees are active again and there is lots to see, photograph and record. I have always had a frustrating fascination with the Cetti’s Warblers. They sing so loudly, almost explosively, usually only a few feet from where you are standing. Over the last week I have learnt quite a lot about them. They have a very interesting habit of patrolling their territory and at Exminster Marsh there are about 4 pairs within 300 yards of each other, spaced out along a tarmac road that skirts the reserve. Their path’s don’t appear to cross much and it is quite easy to predict where they are going to be. First of all you listen for a Cetti’s song, make your way to that vicinity and then wait a few minutes until he sings again. He will have either stayed where he is or moved on. The trick now is to stay where you are because he will come back in your direction after 15 minutes or so after flying up and down his patch singing his song. He will come back to his favourite spots on his “tour” and call again at each stop, so all you have to do is wait for his return. With a bit of practise you can pretty much predict where he is going to make an appearances. It has has been really satisfying getting to know this species and it’s habits. At last I managed a few photos which are not absolutely brilliant but represent a good image of a bird that lots of people fail to be able to even get a good look at. This particular bird decided to perch on an exposed spot out of cover and stayed there for
at least a minute which is not normal behaviour for them. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw him and I excitedly got the shots with almost trembling hands.
The Sedge Warbler is a bird that I have always liked. They show themselves so well. Their song is so excitedly frantic. It has elements of other bird songs in it and it reminds me of a kettle coming to the boil, he seems to get so excited when he reaches the peak of his crescendo. (I am a musician, so please excuse the musical terms). As though he is so frustrated that he hasn’t been joined by a mate yet! I took about 50 shots of one over the last 2 days and it’s hard to decide which I like best I have so many good ones. Check out my gallery here for lots of them and you can choose, but here is one that shows him singing. Note the red inside his mouth, a very attractive feature.

Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler are here in force and they are quick and active in the high branches but again with a bit of patience you can be luckty to get a good luck, I took this Chiffchaff shot this morning.