A minor conundrum presented itself this morning. The Ruff having departed Charminster Water Meadows could very likely land up on the farm with visiting Lapwing! Yesterday afternoon news broke of a possible Hume’s Leaf Warbler that was found by Nigel Taylor on the Rodwell Trail Wyke Road Weymouth.
Farm tick v County tick! Usually a straight forward choice!
The answer although slightly risky was to cover the farm early
morning then wend my way after rush hour, traffic free to add this species to my
Dorset tally!
As things turned out there was no sign of the Ruff and the journey
to Weymouth was straight forward! The Hume’s was not showing upon my arrival at
the Rodwell Trail but as more eyes arrived (Having messaged Brett!) the bird put
on a good display of feeding in the Oak tree, Sycamore and other trees near the
old railway platform!
I did not hear the bird call but the bird did call on occasion whilst
it was flitting about amongst the branches and leaves. I have included several
pictures of the bird so that you can look closely at it and decide for
yourself!
I have consulted the Handbook of European Birds V2 by Duivendijk to improve my knowledge of Yellow Browed and Hume’s Leaf Warblers. I am still hopeful of finding a YBW on the farm!
The bird did seem overall paler than YBW with pale ear coverts. The
bill was small and pointed and second wing bar was not as obvious on this
bird.
If accepted this will be my second record having seen the Beachy
Head bird on 31st December 2007. If I remember correctly this bird called on a regular basis!
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