Reed Warbler

Above: Reed warbler
Below: Sedge Warbler.

The Reed Warbler is a summer visitor from mid April to early October. They are found in England and Wales, but not usually in Scotland. Leighton Moss in Lancashire being close to their Northern limit. They winter south of the Sahara in Africa. They breed exclusively in reed beds although can sometimes be found foraging in the vegetation surrounding the reed beds. They are easy to find with there frequent song (a series of loud scratchy, jarring noises) giving them away.

They are fairly plain birds, with both sexes being simple plain brown above and a cream washed buff underneath. The eye is brown with a thin pale eye-ring and a short, pale eye-stripe. The throat is usually white. The beak is sharp and dagger-like and the top of the upper mandible often looks a darker shade of brown than the rest of the beak. The legs are dark brown. They share the reed beds with other warblers such as sedge warblers and the rarer Cetti's and Savi's warblers. However the reed warbler is fairly easy to distinguish as it lacks the prominent eye stripe and streaked back of the sedge warbler (shown below left for comparison) and the broad tail of Cetti's and Savi's warblers.

As already stated, they breed exclusively in reed beds and their nests are often parasitised by cuckoos. Living amongst the reeds and being highly active small birds, makes them tricky little guys to photograph. You'll require a good site, preferably with a hide and you'll need a lot of patience and a little luck. This combination can be found in a couple of places in the North West that I know of. The first is Woolston Eyes, although you do need an annual permit and you need to also pay for a key to gain entry to the reserve. Here there is a tower hide that overlooks a part of the reed bed and is very close to the reeds. (NOTE: The tower hide is now closed until spring 2008.) Reed warblers are common here and with sufficient time and patience you will get opportunities to photograph them. Although they can be frustrating in that it's difficult to get a clear view. However they do sometimes climb to the top of reeds to sing or to get a wider view of their surroundings. Pay attention, be patient and this hide will offer some photo opportunities.

A better site for these birds however, requiring no permit, is Neumann's Flash near the village of Marston in Cheshire, part of the Northwich Community Woodlands. There are three hides overlooking this large flash but the eastern hide overlooks an area that is great for photographing reed warbler, sedge warbler and in some years whitethroats. The reeds thin out as they approach the hide from either side. Every year that I have been in early June, reed warblers have been nesting in this area and they search for insects in both the reeds and the surrounding low vegetation. They always give good views, sometimes just a few feet in front of the hide. You need to be quick as they seldom stay put for long but you will get some chances here. The best time is early morning, especially if it is sunny, as the sun will be behind you. Afternoons on sunny days are poorer as you'll have the sun full in your face. You'll need to allow a few hours to be sure of getting good pictures so patience is the key. Good luck.