Sedge Warblers

I’ve had great views of Sedge Warblers in Somerset. They manage to fly non-stop from sub-Saharan Africa to the exact spot they left the year before.

“Look for singing birds perched on the outside of a bush.”

That’s impressive. Their life expectancy is just two years.

We’re on Westray when we see one:

Aren’t they fabulous? I decide to persist, to see if I can get closer and get a clear shot with a less distracting background.

That’s a bit better.

It’s a fast moving insect eater. Unlike other Warblers I’m unlikely to hear it sing. As soon as the male gets a mate it stops singing.

I’ve always liked this ‘doing the splits’ pose:

It’s ten grammes of vibrant life.

It’s the only warbler which breeds in Westray.

It’s a long way to come to raise your family. It’s 1,800 miles of continuous flying one way. Then it’s 1,800 miles of continuous flying back.

Westray is worth it.