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25 June 2008
Rare bird spotted for first time in 61 years
An icterine warbler is seen at a Northamptonshire reserve
For the first time in Northamptonshire since 1947, an icterine warbler (Hippolais icterina) was recorded at the Wildlife Trust nature reserve at Stanford Reservoir, an operational drinking water reservoir owned by Severn Trent Water.
The bird was spotted early morning on Saturday 14 June 2008, singing sixty feet up in the top of a tree, at the entrance to the reserve. It was subsequently trapped and ringed by John Cranfield, the Wildlife Trust's voluntary warden for Stanford, enabling the bird to be identified when it is spotted in future. On release, the bird flew across the water into tall trees on the opposite bank. This is only the second sighting for Northamptonshire, the first being at Badby Wood on 28 May 1947.
The bird is a scarce passage migrant, usually recorded in coastal areas, particularly on the east coast. They are widespread throughout east and central Europe, reaching some parts of Scandinavia. They are particularly numerous in parts of Poland, and are usually found in open deciduous woodland with bushes and also parks and gardens, often near water.
The icterine warbler has a plain face, staring eyes, long sloping head and big pale bill and is closely related to melodius warbler. The difference between the two species is recognisable by its wings having a pale panel, and their primaries being unusually long and spaced out, not bunched up, as in a melodius. Also, the legs are usually a distinct blue-grey as opposed to brown-grey.
The Wildlife Trust nature reserve at Stanford Reservoir is only accessible to members of the public with a valid permit, available from the Wildlife Trust — phone 01604 405285 or e-mail lisa.rowley [at] wildlifebcnp.org.