Cetti’s Warbler

[BDennis]

The Cetti’s Warbler is usually described as a skulking bird that is difficult to see but makes loud bursts of song. This one was a non-conformist as far as the first part of the description goes!

This bird was seen sunning itself in a bush and preening at Hen Reedbeds reserve near Southwold in Suffolk in the UK. Occasionally it would burst into song as we watched. I combined several clips from our time watching the bird for some minutes. It was quite windy so I used the audio equaliser in DaVinci Resolve to reduce the wind noise picked up on the camera mics.

[rsh1960]

Often heard but not see, lovely capture.

[Olybirder]

What a terrific video Bill. It is very unusual to see one in the open like that and I have never seen one actually calling.

Ron

[Ian]

Great little video! What mic are you using?

Ian

[Bengeo]

Amazing. It's hard enough to get a glimpse for a still shot!

[BDennis]

Great little video! What mic are you using?

Ian

Thanks Ian. It was the camera microphones on the OM-1. Thankfully these birds are loud enough to be picked up over the wind noise!

[Ian]

I was wondering

[BDennis]

Amazing. It's hard enough to get a glimpse for a still shot!

Yes, I was quickly taking some stills shots thinking it would be off. Then I thought if it was going to keep sitting out in the open singing it seemed rude not to capture some video and audio!

[Ray99]

Wow, that was a showy little fella. I've never seen a Cetti's out in the open so long. Cracking video.

[MJ224]

All the above Bill. Supa set..:-))

[drmarkf]

What a fantastic sighting!
Like everyone else on here I’ve never seen more than the occasional flitting dark shape in a bush.

[BDennis]

It is probably the best view I’ve ever had of one singing. I’ve had clear views of them before but not in full song like this, I always thought they moved position after the loud song making them so hard to spot. I found it interesting watching the video clips to see that it raises the crest / crown feathers sometimes - maybe it is on alert to another bird that was around. Also it appears rather plump and rests on its tummy rather than standing upright on the perch!

[Ian]

Julia saw a Cetti's Warbler today when walking the dog. She identified it using her birdsong phone app. It was in the middle of the lane and then hopped across to a bush.

Ian

[BDennis]

Julia saw a Cetti's Warbler today when walking the dog. She identified it using her birdsong phone app. It was in the middle of the lane and then hopped across to a bush.

Ian

Good to hear you have some down there in France Ian. Given all the other wildlife you have I’d be surprised if you didn’t have them around! The song is pretty recognisable once you’ve heard them a few times.

Bill