Dartford warbler, Bushy Park? (1 Viewer)

[AndyEmery]

Hi all,

I think I just saw a dartford warbler hanging out with a stonechat in Bushy Park. Is this a common occurence? It definitely looked like a dartford warbler.

Cheers, Andy

 

[dantheman]

It is known to happen. Perhaps similar calls help lead to it.

edit:

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sour...v=2&ie=UTF-8#q=dartford warbler and stonechat

Occasionally it's almost looked like the Dartford has wanted to pair up with the Stonechat - probably just birders' imagination though ...

 

[Samuel Perfect]

There've been a few at less usual sites including the London area over the last couple months.

If you have a description, pics or a recording it might be confirmable.

 

[AndyEmery]

I'm 100% sure it was a dartford. First time I've ever seen one but it was distinctive. Dark, small, long tail, fast moving, dark red breast, erratic movement, hopping through the dead bracken, not staying still for long. I'm still shocked to have seen it, even the stonechat was a surprise!

 

[AndyEmery]

It was in the bracken here: http://goo.gl/maps/okD7P

 

[Dave Harris]

It was in the bracken here: http://goo.gl/maps/okD7P

Hi Andy

There have been at least a couple of Dartford sightings in Bushy Park this winter, so no doubt this is what you saw. From memory it was seen in December and maybe January. If you scroll through the London Wiki recent sightings page you should be able to track them down.

I've got one on my patch not far away in Walton, and it's a total sod to see.

Regards
Dave

 

[Dick-E-Dipper]

Hi all,

I think I just saw a dartford warbler hanging out with a stonechat in Bushy Park. Is this a common occurence? It definitely looked like a dartford warbler.

Cheers, Andy

There must be a form of association, as there is a Dartford Warbler in Pitville Park in Cheltenham which hangs around with 2 stonechats (for at least the last
6/7 weeks) See The Gloster Birder -sightings Jan-March. It only gives fleeting glimpses, but apparently has now started to call.

Dick

 

[Digbert Doobrey]

Good spot. I remember an article in one of the birding magazines a few years ago about how Stonechats and Dartford Warblers are often seen together. I saw my first DW in the New Forest last year having just observed a pair of Stonechats. Great to see one so close to London. Doubt if theres any suitable sites any closer though.

 

[AndyEmery]

Teddington is more than close enough to London for me!

 

[honeym]

There's been one in Richmond Park, also associating with Stonechat, this winter. See the London Bird Club Wiki for dates, etc. http://londonbirders.wikia.com/wiki/LatestNews
Always nice to see.
Martin