I'd heard that there was a rather showy cettis warbler at Tophill Low, so I thought I'd set off early this morning in the hope of a shot or two.
As soon as I opened the car door at about 5.45 the dawn chorus was booming and it wasn't long after I started walking that the familiar sound of a cettis warbler was blasting out.
On the way to the hide I saw a tawny owl and heard at least 4 cettis warblers and then upon arrival the male was out in full view singing away.
The area it was showing in was in the shade to start with but as the sun rose the light improved, and it kept returning to the same spot for a short burst of song every 10 minutes or so.
Whilst waiting there was plenty to keep me occupied including a marsh harrier that drifted along the river, herons, reed warbler, sedge warbler, willow warbler, chiffchaff, blue,great and long tailed tit, bullfinch and a cuckoo called from the other side of the river.
After enduring an almost arctic blast of wind for a couple of hours, I was happy with my photos so headed back. I clocked my first swift of the year over D reservoir and on the way back I saw my first yellow wagtail of the year.
I arrived home at about 9.30 chilled to the bone but very happy with the mornings work.
