A trio of Sylvia's - 16 August 2024

 I had a short break this morning, therefore, I decided to check Seamere Marsh near Hingham for signs of migrants, especially given the overnight rain which may have grounded birds.  I arrived at 0945, remaining until 1020 .  It was sunny and warm with a light NW.

Initially quiet, with the exception of a calling Green Woodpecker and two Buzzards overhead, my attention was drawn to a Sylvia Warbler moving about in a broken hedgerow.  I followed this bird, lost it, then quickly relocated it in a Hawthorn/Bramble mix straight ahead of me, this was a very smart looking juvenile Whitethroat Sylvia communis whilst watching the Whitethroat a Garden Warbler Sylvia borin was seen nearby over-reaching in the bush to take and eat a blackberry.  A further search around the bush produced another Sylvia, a male Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla.  At first the Blackcap was sitting quietly, then it became active within the bush and was seen to eat a blackberry.

Seamere Marsh 16 August 2024. Garden Warbler, Blackcap, and Whitethroat were all seen together in the Hawthorn in the centre of this picture. 

I have been and always will be awe of bird migration, especially watching specific locations or habitats for evidence of resting and feeding migrants or indeed witnessing passage.

This mornings records of all three Sylvia species feeding socially and within close proximity of each other is clear evidence of migrant birds sharing mutual behaviour for the purpose of fuelling for migration south to Africa.