Birds performing at Attenborough Nature Reserve - Various dates in April 2022

 

April is a good month to visit Attenborough, with many warblers in full song. However, a very early start on 16th was rewarded with a Cetti's Warbler right next to the path in the open!  This was my best view of this species anywhere, never mind getting a photograph.  The very crisp, sharp light is in some respects unflattering, but I was very grateful that this ultra skulker was being so co-operative.



Cetti's Warbler


I returned the following day at a slightly more civilised hour and had continued success with the camera. Though less skulking, the Blackcap is rarely this confiding and I really couldn't believe how close this bird allowed me to approach. The out of focus tail on the second image means I should have used a higher f-stop, but my point and shoot method rarely gives me time to think about such things, especially when I think the bird is going to fly off at any moment.



Blackcap


This Sedge Warbler was perched up and was just visible between two tangles of thicket.  I had to switch from my normal zone focusing to a large spot in order to lock onto the bird.  






Sedge Warbler





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