I  haven't  been fortunate to even see a Grasshopper Warbler for years and years, ( but I did hear one in Yorkshire the year before last). Last year I had been told of a good site, in a valley by a river on Dartmoor. I had a really good look there then but wasn't successful. Then yesterday I had an email that told me specifically that 4 had been heard there again this last week,  so when I had some time today, I made the journey quite confident that I had a good chance. I walked along the valley very slowly and quietly listening intently for the distinctive song which is described as similar to the ratchet on a fly fishing (or fixed spool) reel.

At first I heard no sign amongst the Willow Warbler and Chaffinch songs that I cold hear from all around. Then…. was that one? I sat quietly on a rock and listened really carefully again but,  nothing. Then suddenly, there it was,  that distinctive song. I was quite thrilled and I quickly hurried to where I had heard it. It wasn't long before I caught sight of it which was pleasing to say the least. I sat quietly and  it wasn't long before I watched it  flying back and forth in it's territory. I tried to guess which was it's favourite singing perch because I have read that when they are "reeling" they sing from atop of a bush or bramble.  I looked at some likely bushes and knew that if I got lucky, then I would get some superb photographs. After an hour or so, with only quick glimpses, I heard a long and drawn out  reeling song that went on and on. I homed in on the bird perched in a very exposed place andI  got a bit closer. I was thrilled when it carried on reeling and I had it in my viewfinder. I struggled because the camera kept focusing on the long dead stems of grass and not on the bird but in the end I got the camera to focus  and I got some blinding shots. The picture above is just the first of around 40 really nice shots and I will post some more  tomorrow when I have had time to process them.  Very specifically it prefers low scrub with scattered brambles which is not too dense. The habitat here is perfect by all accounts and if I were a Grasshopper Warbler then I would enjoy the summer here as well!!

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