Well I suppose I have ruined my blog as far as the standard of photos is concerned but I am sure you are going to cut me some slack. There had been mention of a Sardinian Warbler at Berry Head since last Wednesday and I thought that with a very sunny and clear day and reports giving an exact location, well I really ought to go and see if I could have a look and get some snaps for the blog.
First a bit of background info about the species. Click here for a bit more detailed info and photos of males from mainland Europe They are mainly a bird of Southern Europe and I have always had a really soft spot for them This all stems back to finding one, stunned by the side of the road half way up the rock of Gibralter. I took it in my hand and it revived enough to fly free but before it did I studied it’s plumage in great detail and was really taken with the “orbital”ring, a bare patch of skin about .5 of a mm that circles the eye. It is bright red in colour in a fit male in breeding condition and less red and intense in females and immatures. Then on visits to all the usual Med holiday destinations they are abundant but secretive, flighty and really hard to get a look at especially out of the breeding season. But you are always frustratingly aware of them because they call to each other repeatedly with a low grasshopper/wren like Zitty call.
So I arrive at the spot, conveniently just yards from the main car park at Berry Head and was pleased to see a few people kitted out with scopes and cameras staring intently at the undergrowth, always a good sign!

I was even more pleased to recognise a few friendly faces, and birdwatchers that I respect both for their knowledge and ability to see the tiniest little bit of movement and then put a name to it! So obviously this was the proper spot. I joined the few and chatted to see what was what and decided to concentrate on a small patch just in front where it had been seen only minutes before. It wasn’t long before it obliged and true to it’s nature showed its self for around 10 seconds . A few shots in the bag though but I continued to wait for another one.

Notice the eye ring, the cap is grey in the male this would be more intense and inky blueish black. Again she just popped in and out of sight but I did mange to at least get a good look and a few photos for the record.

This could have been such a nice photo had it been in focus but the problem quite literally is the speed of the bird and an inability to focus quickly enough before she moved on.

This is the 4th record for this species in Devon, the last one in 1992 at Prawle Point the other 2 were from Lunday Island.

As I waited this Magpie put in a nice show.