The day was another mundane Thursday. In the midst of writing a uni essay, I had struggled to find time to get out birding and had thus far not ventured out to get my year list kickstarted. However, this was about to change.
The previous night, a report on BirdGuides revealed that a Northern Waterthrush had been photographed in a local garden in Maldon - only a half hour drive from my house. Although briefly delighted I had tried to contain my excitement as rarities found in gardens are often either never seen again or access is restricted.
Fast forward to the following morning and the news that this mega bird had been seen in a nearby creek immediately set the alarm bells ringing. Initially, I simply hoped it would remain long enough to connect with the bird after the due date of my essay (4 days later). But returning to my work jittery and unable to concentrate after receiving such mega news, I decided to drop everything in an attempt to see the bird.
As I fired up the mini for the short drive, I said to myself that I'd give it an hour on site before I had to return to my work - a tight window of opportunity for any twitch. After a hasty drive, I eventually arrived at the nearby retail car park in which parking had been recommended online. The subsequent 18 minute walk to the site felt like an eternity but eventually I arrived at the scene.
Around 100 birders were present split and into two groups. I opted to stand with the larger group in the hope that more eyes meant a higher likelihood of seeing the bird. The bank overlooking the creek was full with birders and as a result I had to be content with a very restricted view of the trees surrounding it.
After 15 minutes of waiting for the bird in a tense silence, the call was suddenly heard and the bird was seen in an oak tree overlooking the creek. After an adrenaline-induced scramble and some helpful directions, I set my eyes on the Northern Waterthrush. The bird was initially elusive but eventually hopped onto a more exposed branch revealing its scintillating eye stripe and speckled belly. What struck me most was how yellow the bird appeared in the winter sunlight! After showing for a few minutes at 11:15, the bird then flew away calling. Smiles and laughter broke around the site as the present birders were incredibly relieved at having connected with such a mega bird.
Another 10 minutes later, the bird flew back in calling and showed even better! This time I even managed to get the bird in my scope, getting great but brief views. After it flew off again, I decided to head back home to my uni work, over the moon with seeing my first ever American Warbler - and within my own county!!!
The pictures attached below, with the kind permission of Simon Patient, are taken on the same day as my visit and perfectly illustrate the view of the bird I had. Unfortunately it was too quick for me to snap some photos of my own!
After connecting with the Abberton Canvasback in November, I had not expected to see an American bird in my own county for a long time since. However, to top this less than two months later with a Yank Warbler and just an 8th record for Britain (and a 3rd mainland record) is quite frankly sensational! My 2024 birding may have only peaked a mere 4 days in!
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