Great Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus arundinaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) (9, 3)
Photo © Phil Woollen - Ilkeston, Derbyshire, 8 June 2010
STATUS
Western and Central Palearctic. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
Dresser (1871-81 (2): 580) says: 'As remarked by Mr. Gould, freshly killed specimens are not infrequently sent over to the London markets from Holland; and therefore one should be careful not to trust too implicitly to specimens said to have been shot in England, even though they may have come into the stuffer's hands here in the flesh.'
RECORDS
1). 1847 Co. Durham Near Swalwell, shot, 28th May, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
(J. Hancock, Annals & Magazine of Natural History 20: 135-136; Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club, Zoologist 1847: 1875-1876; Yarrell, 1856; BOU, 1915; Temperley, 1951).
History John Hancock (1847) in the Annals & Magazine of Natural History, Vol. XX. pp. 135-136, dated 15th July 1847, says: 'A male specimen of this fine Warbler was shot, three or four miles west of Newcastle, near the village of Swalwell, by Mr. Thomas Robson of that place, on the 28th of last May.
The attention of this gentleman, who is perfectly familiar with the song of all our summer visitants, was arrested by a note which he had not before heard: and after some search he succeeded in getting a sight of the bird. It was concealed in the thickest part of a garden hedge close to an extensive mill-dam, which is bordered, with willows, reeds, and other aquatic plants. It would scarcely leave its retreat, and when it did so never flew far, and always kept close to the herbage. Its habits resembled those of the Reed Warbler, being continually in motion, occasionally hanging with the body downwards, or clinging to the branches and stretching forwards to take its prey. Its song was powerful, and resembled that of the Black Ouzel, but was occasionally interrupted with the harsh croaking note common to many of the Warblers, and at intervals it uttered a single shrill cry.
The specimen was very fat, and when opened, the stomach contained small beetles and flies.
From the nature of the locality, and from the time of year when captured, there can he little doubt that this bird was breeding in the neighbourhood, and I have some reason for believing that the nidification of this species has occurred in another part of England. I have had in my possession for nearly two years an egg taken by a friend of mine in Northamptonshire, which agrees in every respect with Thienemann's figure and description of the egg of Sylvia turdoides, and now, since the capture of the bird in Britain, it is impossible to doubt that this egg belongs to that species. It would therefore appear probable that this delightful songster, the largest of the European Warblers, may be a regular summer visitant to our island.
Notwithstanding its large size, it might easily pass unnoticed, skulking as it does in the low herbage, and seldom exposing itself to view. Its song, too, by most would be taken for that of the Black Ouzel; and even now it might have escaped detection had not the accurate ear and experienced eye of Mr. Robson been engaged in the pursuit.'
Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club (1847) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. V. pp. 1875-1876, announced the capture of the Thrush Nightingale at Swalwell. However, Yarrell (1856) 2nd supplement, pp. 2-3, says: 'We are indebted to Mr. John Hancock of Newcastle-on-Tyne, for the knowledge of this interesting addition to our catalogue of British Song Birds, in a communication made to the Annals and Magazine of Natural History for 1847, part ii. page 135.'
Hancock (1874: 72) adds: 'The specimen is in the possession of Mr. Thomas Thompson, of Winlaton; and was, I believe, the first recorded occurrence of this large warbler in the British Islands.'
Admitted nationally in their second List of British Birds (BOU 1915).
Temperley (1951) adds: 'This specimen passed into the Thompson Collection and is now in the Hancock Museum.'
2). 1853 Kent Sittingbourne, killed, 4th May.
(Morris, 1851-57; Yarrell, 1856; BOU, 1915; Witherby, 1920-24; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).
History Morris (1855 (4): 91) says: 'I am exceedingly happy in being able to give a figure of the present species as a new British bird, having received information from Mr. Chaffey, of Doddington, Kent - information which may be most implicitly relied on - that one was killed in Kent on the 4th of May, 1853, by the side of a pond near Sittingbourne, by Mr. G. Thomas, of that place.'
Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 365, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'According to Mr. Morris, who, however, has attributed the foregoing [Durham specimen] as well as another reputed instance of the occurrence of this species to the larger Nightingale of eastern Europe, before mentioned (page 320), an example of the present bird was killed, May 4th, 1853, at a pondside near Sittingbourne in Kent by Mr. G. Thomas.'
Admitted nationally (BOU 1915; Witherby 1920 (1): 337).
3). 1858 Surrey Ockford Pond, Godalming, shot, spring.
(Bucknill, 1900; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 85; Witherby, 1920-24; Parr, 1972).
History Bucknill (1900: 41) says: 'Yarrell in the earlier editions of his British Birds makes mention of a nest of this species which was in the collection of Mr. Butterfield, and which was supposed to have been found near Dorking. In the fourth edition of the same work, however, Professor Newton (Editor), throws a very proper discredit on the record, the details being so meagre and the instance so isolated as to render the story unworthy of general acceptance. There is, however, an undoubted example in the Charterhouse Collection, which was shot by Mr. J. P. Stafford in the spring of 1858 at Ockford Pond, Godalming, the authenticity of which there seems no reason to doubt.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 85, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who add: 'There is an undoubted example in the Charterhouse collection, which was shot by Mr. J. P. Stafford in the spring of 1858, at Ockford Pond, Godalming, the authenticity of which there seems no reason to doubt (J. A. Bucknill, Birds of Surrey, p. 41.).'
Admitted nationally (Witherby 1920 (1): 337).
4). 1881 Kent Near Wingham, shot, 14th September, now at Canterbury Museum.
(W. O. Hammond, Zoologist 1881: 463-465; Witherby, 1920-24; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).
History W. Oxenden Hammond of St Alban's Court, Wingham, Kent (1881) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. V. pp. 463-465, says: 'While snipe-shooting on September 14th I came across a warbler of some kind, which I failed to identify satisfactorily. I had marked a Snipe down, as I believed, in a watercress-covered stream which flowed between an alder-bed on one bank, and a bank of very high reeds on the other. I had not gone far up the windings of this channel, pushing aside the tall Lythrum and Eupatoria as I went, when the bird in question rose out of the coarse herbage and instantly entered the reed-bed opposite. Being struck with its appearance, which differed in both size, colour, and manner of flight from the Reed Warblers that I had met with more or less all day, I signalled to my keeper, who was carrying my marsh-jumping pole, and when he came up I sent my retriever into the reeds where the bird had entered. The bird moved through the reeds at once before the dog, and my keeper seeing it, forced it out by a thrust or two of the pole. It flew along the water-course very low, just topping the cresses, with a weak fluttering flight, and some dust-shot then struck it down.
I anticipated no difficulty in identifying it by a reference to Gould's Birds of Great Britain, and I turned out at once to the description of the Thrush Warbler, Acrocephalus turdoides. Beautiful, however, as are the plates, and admirable as are the popular descriptions in this work, it is unfortunately wanting generally in precise information as to measurements, colour, &c., and in this instance nothing beyond the plate is given towards identifying a supposed specimen.
Gould's figure measures 8 inches; my bird measures 7⅜ inches. The general aspect, structure and size of the bill, and markings - as far as the bird possesses them - agree, with the exception of feet and tarsi, which in the coloured plate are of a pale yellowish brown, and in my freshly-killed bird a very decided light bluish slate colour.
Without professing to give a scientific description of my bird, I should describe it as follows: - Bill, upper mandible brown; lower purplish brown, lighter towards the gape; point to gape, one inch exactly. Top of head raw umber-brown, with a lighter line over the eye from the base of the bill to the top of the auricles. Upper portion of head, neck, back, wing-coverts, primaries, secondaries, and tertials, umber-brown, with a raw sienna tint. Rump and tail the same brown, with a reddish yellow tint. Chin whitish. Under parts whitish, tinged with raw sienna, deeper on the coverts of the thighs. Under tail-coverts tinged with yellow-brown. Greater wing-coverts and primaries faintly margined on outer webs and ends of feathers. Eleven feathers in tail; middle feather the longest; tail cuneiform. Irides brown. Length from point of bill to end of tail, 7⅜ in. Tarsi bluish slate, one and five sixteenths inches long; toes brownish. Second quill-feather the longest in the wing. The bill is strong, and the form of the head very like a Redwing's; in other respects the form more nearly resembles the Aquatic Warblers, though somewhat more elongated. Can you help me to identify this species?
I have been particular in a description of its "manners" when first moved, since its disinclination to leave the reed-bed and its very short flight coincide with Gould's description of the Thrush Warbler. Its greater length and deeper colouring are the chief points where agreement is wanting; but perhaps, if his work has a fault, it is in its general too high colouring.
Since writing the above I am convinced the bird is Acrocephalus turdoides. Mr. Gordon, the Curator of the Dover Museum, is quite satisfied about it. We have compared it with Yarrell, and it answers exactly, with the exception of the length - 7⅜ in. against Yarrell's and Gould's 8 in. - and the colour of the legs, given by both Gould and Yarrell as brown; whereas mine, when fresh, were slaty-blue. My birds legs, having dried, have now turned brown.
As to length, Yarrell quotes Latham, and does not speak from his own observation, and no one can read Gould's letterpress without seeing that he mainly went to Yarrell for his description. On skinning my bird it turned out to be "a perfect ball of fat", - so Gordon described it - and this might account for its laboured flight, which surprised me.'
[The proper name which this bird should bear, according to Professor Newton (Yarrell, 4th ed., Vol. I. p. 365) is Acrocephalus arundinaceus (Linnaeus). - Ed.]
Admitted nationally (Witherby 1920 (1): 337).
5). 1884 Hampshire Ringwood, male, shot, 3rd June.
(T. J. Mann, Zoologist 1884: 343; Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Witherby, 1920-24).
History T. J. Mann of The Grange, Bishop's Stortford (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 343, says: 'Your readers will be interested to hear that on the 3rd June last a fine specimen of the Great Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus turdoides, was shot by Mr. G. F. Hart, who takes charge of my fishery near Ringwood. He found it by the river side in a rank growth of sedge, reed, water hemlock (Oenanthe crocata) and willow. It has been preserved for me, and proved on dissection to be a male.'
[We have been favoured with a sight of this bird, which Mr. Mann very kindly brought for our inspection, and there is no doubt it has been correctly identified. - Ed.]
Kelsall & Munn (1905: 30) say: 'A male was shot at Ringwood on June 3rd, 1884, by Mr. G. F. Hart, and preserved for the late Mr. T. J. Mann, of Bishop's Stortford. It was found by the river side in a rank growth of sedge, reed, water hemlock and willow.'
Admitted nationally (Witherby 1920 (1): 337). Locally, Clark & Eyre (1993) state the first record was in 1960 but a new Birds of Hampshire (in prep.) admits this record as the first for the county after it was overlooked previously.
6). c. 1886 Shropshire Ellesmere, shot, undated.
(Forrest, 1908; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 408-409; Witherby, 1920-24; Rutter, Gribble & Pemberyon, 1964; Smith et al., 2019).
History H. E. Forrest (1908 (1): 163) in the Victoria County History of Shropshire, says: 'A specimen of this larger and very rare species was shot at Ellesmere about 1886 and preserved by a local man named C. W. Lloyd, from whom it was purchased by Mr. H. Shaw, the well known taxidermist of Shrewsbury. It is now in the possession of Mr. W. S. Brocklehurst, Kempston, Bedfordshire.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. pp. 408-409, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'One was shot in a reed-bed at one of the meres at Ellesmere, in Shropshire, about 1886. It had been noticed singing, and was supposed to be a Nightingale.
It was stuffed by C. W. Lloyd, and purchased by H. Shaw; subsequently it passed through the hands of G. Cooke and G. F. Fox, and is now in Mr. W. S. Brocklehurst's collection. It was examined by Mr. Forrest soon after Cooke bought it (H. E. Forrest, in litt., and Fauna of Shropshire, p. 111).'
7). 1900 Dorset Christchurch, Hampshire, shot, 10th May, now at Horniman Musem.
(Kelsall & Munn, 1905; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 85; Witherby, 1920-24; Clark, 2022).
History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 30) say: 'Another specimen in Mr. Hart's collection, was shot on the mill stream, Christchurch, on May 10th, 1900.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 85, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
Comment Previously, on the same species they had referred to Mr. G. F. Hart.
8). 1943 Northamptonshire Near Oundle, seen, 9th to 20th June.
(D. M. G. Wishart, British Birds 37: 115; Taylor MS., 1959).
History D. M. G. Wishart (1943) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVII. p. 115, says: 'I wish to report the presence of a Great Reed Warbler near Oundle, Northants., between 9th June and 20th June 1943.
The bird was first observed on the 9th by the River Nene, at a place where there is a small clump of willows above the tow-path and some tall reeds in the water below. I was attracted to the place by an unfamiliar song, which reminded me of a Sedge Warbler's Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, but was much louder and harsher. I had one glimpse of the bird that day.
It seemed to me like a large Reed Warbler with a prominent eye-stripe. Next day I returned to the spot with David Wise, who, by careful manoeuvering managed to approach to within 15 feet of the bird, which he describes as follows: - "A little smaller than a Starling Sturnus vulgaris, olive-brown above, with a prominent eye-stripe, whitish on the throat and breast, tingeing to a buff colour on the belly and under-tail coverts".
On 10th June we disturbed it from the reeds where it was singing; when it flew off, it kept low over the water with its tail fanned (this fanning was noticeable whenever it flew low over the water), and then rose nearly vertically to a willow where it began to sing. Its song resembled that of a Sedge Warbler, but it was much louder (it seemed loud even at a quarter of a mile), and considerably harsher, although at times it did become more musical. A harsh "chack" was also frequently heard. It would sing as much, if not more, from the willows as from the reeds. When singing in the willows, it was very restless, hopping or flitting from one twig to another continually.
On the 17th, when we next went, it was still there. It left between the evening of the 20th and the afternoon of the 21st. During the twelve days of its stay (it may have been longer, for I did not visit the place before the 9th) it did not leave the quarter mile stretch of river.'
9). 1946 Buckinghamshire/Hertfordshire Marsworth Reservoir, Tring, in song, 27th April.
(H. H. S. Hayward, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society 23: 6-16; Eds., British Birds 41: 318; Sage, 1959; Lack & Ferguson, 1994).
History In an Editorial (1948) in British Birds, Vol. XLI. p. 318, in a Review of the Transactions of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society, for 1946, they say: 'The Hertfordshire report records a Great Reed-Warbler at the Tring Reservoirs on April 27th. The description, which was submitted to us soon after the occurrence, is not above criticism in certain respects, but seems to leave little doubt of the bird's identity.'
Lack & Ferguson (1994) in The Birds of Buckinghamshire state that it was singing on the northern edge of Marsworth Reservoir.
1950-57 RECORDS
10). 1950 Kent Stodmarsh, male, in song, 20th May to 4th June.
(I. Houston & W. Robinson, British Birds 44: 202-204; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).
History I. Houston & W. Robinson (1951) in British Birds, Vol. XLIV. pp. 202-204, say: 'On May 20th, 1950, in a small reed-bed in a marsh in east Kent, Ian Houston listened to the song and observed a bird which he identified as a Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus). On the following day the reed-bed was visited by W. Robinson, who found the bird still present and confirmed identity. In the 15 days that followed one or other of us visited the place on many occasions and, in total, over 22 hours were spent in listening to the song and in getting close views of the bird. Near approach was not difficult as the reed-bed in which the bird had taken up its quarters was close to a dike from which it could be overlooked at a distance of 15 to 20 yards. During most of the time we watched, the warbler remained hidden low down in the new growth though on each visit we were favoured by at least one or two good views when he ventured up the old reed stems. In all the hours that we lay in wait for him his powerful and penetrating song was almost continuous, except for brief pauses, usually of only a few seconds.
The following description of the bird, seen on many occasions, is taken from notes made on the spot. A pair of x 12 binoculars was used at distances from the bird varying from 15 to 25 yards.
General impression - a very large warbler, at least as large as a Nightingale (Luscinia megarhyncha). Upper-parts - Olive brown. Head - Crown and nape noticeably darker in tone than rest of upper-parts. Indistinct superciliary stripe. Beak - Appeared very dark. Noticeably long, straight and stoutish. Gape - Inside of mouth appeared orange-red. This point was noted a number of times in strong light whilst the bird was singing. Under-parts - Chin, throat and upper breast whitish. Lower breast and belly, buff. Legs - Not well seen, but appeared dark.
The most characteristic feature was the voice. The penetrating power and distinct clarity and range of notes were particularly evident. It is a difficult and not very satisfactory task to attempt in writing a bird's song sequence and, after many hours of close attention to this bird's song, the following very imperfect rendering is the best we can make of it: ''Uk-uk" (very low and subdued) - "gerruk-gerruk" (louder and guttural) - "ee-ee" (a very high-pitched, almost pig-like squeal) - "sit'eedle-sweedle" - "tu-ee-tu-ee" - "kuk-kuk" - "wee-wee-ivee". Another note is a very low croaking "turr" three or four times repeated. Yet another, a grating rattle, repealed twice in quick succession reminding one very much of the noise made by a rather subdued football-fan's rattle. Some of the notes were reminiscent of certain song phrases of the Song-Thrush (Turdus ericetorum); others were very like the call of the Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus).
The carrying power of the bird's voice is a special feature and was tested. It was found that some of the low notes could be heard at over 450 yards and this with a light cross-breeze which was only slightly in the listener's favour. Another interesting point about the song was a ventriloquial quality it possessed, giving the impression that the high notes were uttered from a position some yards distant from those of lower pitch. Sometimes it seemed that two birds were singing, though this certainly was not the case.
The bird was last seen by W.R. on June 4th. On the following day another observer reported it as being still present. Nothing more was seen or heard of the bird after that date. The identity of the bird as a Great Reed Warbler was confirmed by Rev. L. Sargent, L. W. Wilson and other competent observers.'
[We have been supplied with notes by Rev. L. Sargent which fully confirm the identification. He describes the eye-stripe as "light" and the gape as "rosy, not orange", and classes the bird as "an outsize warbler appearing half as large again as neighbouring Sedge-warbler" while "the volume" (of song) "was that of a Blackbird in contrast to Robin's, when compared with the song of a Reed-Warbler". - Eds.]
11). 1951 Sussex Royal Military Canal, Rye, male, in song, 24th May to 28th July.
(R. A. W. Reynolds, British Birds 45: 220-221; G. des Forges & D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1951: 9; des Forges & Harber, 1963; Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996).
History R. A. W. Reynolds (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. pp. 220-221, says: 'On May 24th, 1951, Mr. O. Holt and I observed a Great Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) in a reed-bed, in E. Sussex. The song which first drew our attention, was loud and harsh; it was composed of a series of sharp striking notes, interspersed by loud churring, and a vaguely musical bubbling chatter very much stronger and more voluminous than that of the commoner Acrocephali, which were singing competitively near by. The bird favoured a stretch of comparatively sparse reed growth, with patches of open water and overhanging trees, and its range of movement appeared confined to this area. It was particularly skulking in its habits, singing almost entirely from the base of the dead reed-stems under the cover of the new growing shoots. On emergence its large size, heavy flight, and spread tail were very noticeable. The flight was of short duration, and it barely rose higher than the reeds; on one occasion only it was observed to alight on the branch of an overhanging tree, but quickly returned to the cover of the reeds.
On the following day I was accompanied by Dr. N. F. Ticehurst and Messrs. W. S. Nevin and D. B. Cooke, when the bird was seen in strong sunlight. In addition to the features mentioned above, the plumage of the upper-parts appeared to be an almost uniform rich brown, slightly more rufous on the rump and tail, and the head noticeably darker, with the merest suggestion of a white stripe over the eye. The under-parts were pale buff to white under the chin. The bill was long, strong, and straight, and the legs dark. The bird was under observation for three hours, from a distance of approximately 30 yards, with 10 x 50 field glasses. It may be of interest to add that the bird was almost continually accompanied by a pair of the smaller species (A. scirpaceus), which adopted the following behaviour. The male, perched near the op of a reed-stem immediately above the offending bird, sang loudly, whilst the female approached at a lower level with shivering wings!
[The bird was watched by other observers on May 26th and June 2nd. On June 10th it was found independently by E. Giles who also found a second bird present; both were singing, about 70 yards apart. Single birds were seen on June 11th and 14th, after which no song was heard.
On July 18th D. D. Harber had good views of a bird of this species in a tree overhanging the same reed-bed, and what was doubtless the same individual was seen in the same locality on July 28th by A. R. Mead-Briggs. Details of these subsequent observations are given in Sussex Bird Report for 1951.
Mr. G. R. Mountfort has drawn attention (antea, Vol. XLIV. p. 196) to the importance of the conspicuous creamy eye-stripe as a field character, a feature brought out well in an accompanying plate. In view of the fact that the bird (or birds) recorded above and the one seen in Kent in 1950 (antea, Vol. XLIV. p. 203) do not seem to have shown this feature we asked Mr. Derek Goodwin to examine skins in the British Museum.
He reports: "Most of the skins suggest that the creamy eye-stripe would be conspicuous in life, but in some, especially in a few females, including one May specimen, the eye-stripe is barely discernible in the skin, and 'merest suggestion' would well describe it. Skins certainly give the impression that this character is variable, but it must be remembered that skins seldom show stripes so clearly as the living bird". - Eds.]
12). 1951 Sussex Royal Military Canal, Rye, another, male, in song, 10th June.
(G. des Forges & D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1951: 9; James, 1996).
History G. des Forges & D. D. Harber (1951) in the Sussex Bird Report, Vol. IV. p. 9, say: 'On May 24th one was found in a reed bed in the E of the county by O. Holt and R. A. Reynolds. The next day it was seen by several observers, including Dr. N. F. Ticehurst. R. A. W. Reynolds, besides describing the striking song, noted the large size, heavy flight, rich brown of upper-parts (slightly more rufous on rump and tail) with head noticeably darker, with merest suggestion of white stripe over eye; underparts pale buff to white under the chin; bill long, strong and straight; legs dark.
On June 10th this bird was independently found by E.G. who also heard a second bird singing about 70 yards away, only one bird being seen. A single bird was seen and heard by Mrs. Mary Smith on June 11th and by E.G. on June 14th. No records of song after this date and birds believed to have left, but on July 18th D.D.H. had good views of bird of this species in a tree overhanging the reed bed. He describes it as a much larger version of the Reed Warbler, about size of Sky Lark, with a noticeably long, straight bill; distinct brown streaks on white of throat; pale eye-stripe, not very obvious; gave short, harsh call.
On July 28th what was no doubt the same bird was seen in the same locality by A.R.M.-B. who watched it for about 10 minutes in trees. He describes it as very much larger than a Reed Warbler which it otherwise generally resembled; long straight bill; brown streaks on throat; call "Kik, Kik" followed by two jangling notes. He noted that while Reed Warblers were apparently collecting food for young in the trees, this bird was eating the food it got. Three previous records for the county, the last in 1906.'
NOT PROVEN
0). 1852 Greater London/Kent Near Dartford, male, shot, 8th May.
(E. Newman, Zoologist 1852: 3476).
[Newman, 1866; Yarrell, 1871-85; Ticehurst, 1909].
History Edward Newman (1852) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. X. p. 3476, under 'Occurrence of the Thrush Nightingale, near Dartford, in Kent', says: 'A fine male specimen of this extremely rare British bird was shot near Dartford, on Saturday the 8th instant [May, 1852], by a man who took it for a Nightingale. I had an opportunity of examining the bird in a fresh state, through the kindness of Mr. Green, the Naturalist, 1, East Road, City Road, who has the skin for disposal.'
Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 365, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Two other examples were said in the last Edition of this work to have also been killed in Kent, one between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, the other at Erith; and a third is stated (Zool., p. 4014) to have been obtained June 16th, 1853, at Dagenham in Essex.
All these came into the possession of the late Mr. Green, a well-known dealer in birds and eggs, but they were shown when in the flesh to competent judges, and there seems no reason to doubt their having been specimens of the Great Reed Warbler. Mr. Gould, however, in his Birds of Great Britain, utters a warning respecting them which should not be neglected, stating that to his knowledge freshly-killed examples of this species are often sent from Rotterdam, that there, is accordingly reason to think that it may not have been obtained in this country so often has been supposed.'
Returning to the footnote, p. 365, he says: 'Mr. Newman (Zool., p. 3476) mentions, under the name of Sylvia turdoides, a bird, said to have been shot near Dartford, May 8th, 1852, which he examined in a fresh state, but he has since stated (Dict. Brit. Birds, p. 374) some facts rendering it probable that the specimen was so called by mistake.'
Further, p. 366, in a footnote, he adds: 'In the Naturalist for August, 1838 (III. p. 419), Mr. Blyth states that a season or two previously Mr. Bartlett obtained in the London market a recent specimen of this species, which fact possibly indicates that the practice of importing fresh examples from abroad has not been confined to the last few years.'
0). 1853 Essex/Greater London Dagenham, killed, 16th June.
(J. Green, Zoologist 1853: 4014; Yarrell, 1871-85; Glegg, 1929).
[Gould, 1862-73; Christy, 1890; Not in Witherby et al., 1940-52, Cox, 1984].
History J. Green of London (1853) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XI. p. 4014, dated July, 1853, says: 'The specimen of the thrush warbler which you saw in the flesh, was caught at Dagenham, in Essex, on the 16th June, 1853.'
Alfred Newton (1871-74 (1): 365-366, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'A third is stated (Zool., p. 4014) to have been obtained June 16th, 1853, at Dagenham in Essex.
All these came into the possession of the late Mr. Green, a well-known dealer in birds and eggs, but they were shown when in the flesh to competent judges, and there seems no reason to doubt their having been specimens of the Great Reed Warbler. Mr. Gould, however, in his Birds of Great Britain, utters a warning respecting them which should not be neglected, stating that to his knowledge freshly-killed examples of this species are often sent from Rotterdam, that there, is accordingly reason to think that it may not have been obtained in this country so often has been supposed.'
Further, p. 365, in a footnote, he says: 'Mr. Newman (Zool., p. 3476) mentions, under the name of Sylvia turdoides, a bird, said to have been shot near Dartford, May 8th, 1852, which he examined in a fresh state, but he has since stated (Dict. Brit. Birds, p. 374) some facts rendering it probable that the specimen was so called by mistake.'
Further, p. 366, in a footnote, he adds: 'In the Naturalist for August, 1838 (III. p. 419), Mr. Blyth states that a season or two previously Mr. Bartlett obtained in the London market a recent specimen of this species, which fact possibly indicates that the practice of importing fresh examples from abroad has not been confined to the last few years.'
Christy (1890: 87) agrees with the above and records it in square brackets for Essex.
Comment Mr. J. Green, a dealer of City Road, Finsbury, in birds and eggs supplied this specimen to W. Yarrell for examination. Although correctly identified, anything handled by Green was later rejected by Witherby. Dubious origin, probably imported. Not acceptable.
0). 1884 Isles of Scilly Great Pool, Tresco, shot and only wounded, late September.
(J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 246; Penhallurick, 1978).
[H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 85; Hartert et al., 1912].
History J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 246, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'Smith also shot what was evidently a Great Reed Warbler in the reeds on the Long Pool, Tresco, about the end of September, 1884. He had it in his hand, where it lay quietly for a moment spreading out its tail like a fan; but before he could kill it, it suddenly slipped over and went away like a mouse. His description of the bird left no reasonable doubt of its identity.'
H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 85, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', placing the record in square brackets, say: 'A bird, supposed to be of this species, was shot by David Smith, on the Long Pool at Tresco, but though he had it in his hand, it succeeded in escaping. His description of the bird left no reasonable doubt as to its identity (James Clark and F. R. Rodd, Zool., 1906, p. 246).'
Comment David Smith was the gamekeeper on Tresco. Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.
0). 1885 Sussex Ratham, seen, 26th July.
(Borrer, 1891).
[Walpole-Bond, 1938].
History Borrer (1891: 64) says: 'Although the specimen was not obtained, I venture to insert the following taken from the private notes of Mr. Jeffery: - "1885, July 26th. Saw a bird in Ratham garden, which I feel satisfied was the Thrush-like Warbler of Yarrell, the S. turdoides of Gould's Bird's of Europe. The note was harsh and guttural, and reminded me of the Ring-Ouzel. It had also another note, a high-toned shriek. I had a good view of it close, and noticed positively that the tail was wedge-shaped, size rather larger than the Nightingale, which bird it much resembled in colour.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 380) says: 'The first of these must be sought in Borrer's Birds of Sussex, where the following extract from Mr. W. Jeffery's "Private-Notes" is cited: ...Despite the fact of the adult Nightingale (which, of course, he meant, seeing that juveniles are spotted) being reddish brown above, not olive-brown as in the Great Reed-Warbler, I do not dislike this notice. Still, to establish the identity of most birds that are very rare in a country generally necessitates their capture, and I know that in the eyes of most ornithologists this case stands as "not proven".'
Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.
0). 1886 Norfolk River Bure, Great Yarmouth, pair, seen, 8th July.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1907: 132; Riviere, 1930; Seago, 1977).
[KAN].
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. p. 132, says: 'August 1st. A Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus turdoides) seen at Horning by Mr. Bird. As it was only fifteen yards away, and a good view was obtained of it clinging to some reed, with tail and wings half-spread, he can hardly have been mistaken. Mr. Bird also believes he saw a pair on the River Bure in July, 1886, about a mile from where this year's bird was seen.'
Riviere (1930: 62) says: 'In the MS. diary of the Rev. M. C. Bird, he recorded seeing a pair of these at only a few yards distance, on the River Bure, on 8th July, 1886.'
Comment No identification details. Not acceptable.
0). 1892 Sussex Eastbourne, seen, 13th June.
(R. Morris, Sussex and Hampshire Naturalist 1: 20).
[Walpole-Bond, 1938].
History Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 380) says: 'As to the second notice, that, I am afraid, can in no circumstances be accepted, since the bird seen on the downs near Eastbourne in 1892, on June 13th, by Mr. R. Morris and thought by him to be a "Great Reed" could not possibly from his description have been anything of the kind. For one thing - and I need go no farther into his account - it was not nearly big enough. Its size, he said, equalled that of the Garden-Warbler, which is two and a half inches less in length than the contrasted bird, not to speak of its proportionately shorter spread of wing.'
Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.
0). 1897 Lincolnshire Tetney, heard only, 28th July.
(J. Cordeaux, Naturalist 1898: 21; Cordeaux, 1899; Witherby, 1920-24; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).
[Smith & Cornwallis, 1955].
History J. Cordeaux (1898) in The Naturalist, Vol. XXIV. p. 21, says: 'July 28th. When botanising to-day in company with the Rev. E. Adrian Woodruffe-Peacock, we were greatly surprised to hear what could only be the noisy rattling song of this very rare wanderer to England, coming from the reed-beds in Madam's Creek (the old bed of the Haven) at Tetney Lock. I was certain of the species, having heard it abroad, and remembering the song so well expressed by the words, "Kar-ra-kar-ra-kee-kee".
This straggler to our shores had probably been some time in the country, as I found its noisy song had attracted the notice of passers that way, and particularly of an old shepherd, who had, he told me, unsuccessfully watched to get a sight of the performer. Mr. G. H. Caton Haigh, to whom the land belongs, on two occasions tried to force the bird from the cover of the reeds by a rope trailed across, but the only result was the dislodgement of numbers of Reed and Sedge Warblers.
Subsequently, the bird was both seen and heard by Mr. Haigh's man in a neighbouring hedge. He described it as large as a thrush, brown above and lighter below. The notes could be heard at a very considerable distance, and by those walking on the sea embankment some hundreds of yards away.'
Cordeaux (1899: 5) says: 'July 28th, 1897, one frequented the reed beds in Madam's Creek, Tetney, on the Lincolnshire coast for some weeks [Nat. 1898, p. 21]. Some years previously an example was seen and watched in a bush near the coast by a competent observer, but was not obtained.'
Not accepted locally (Smith & Cornwallis 1955) who placed the record in square brackets, however, it was accepted later (Lorand & Atkin 1989).
Comment I think that at the end of the 19th century this species would have been difficult to identify. Not acceptable.
0). 1903 Sussex St Leonards-on-Sea, adult male, shot, 25th September.
(R. Bowdler Sharpe, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 14: 18, 25; M. J. Nicholl, Zoologist 1903: 432; M. J. Nicoll, Ibis 1903: 476; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 84; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History R. Bowdler Sharpe, Editor (1903) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XIV. p. 18, at the 99th Meeting of the Club held on 21st October 1903 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'Mr. M. J. Nicoll exhibited a specimen of the Great Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus turdoides) shot by himself close to St Leonards on 25th of September, 1900. This was the first record for Sussex, and the fifth authentic occurrence of the species in Great Britain.'
Further, p. 25, R. Bowdler Sharpe says: 'Mr. M. J. Nicoll sent the following correction to the account of his remarks in the last number of the Bulletin. The date of the capture of the Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus turdoides) should have been Sept. 25, 1903, not 1900.'
M. J. Nicoll of St Leonards (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 432, says: 'At the same meeting [Oct. 21st] of the B.O.C. I exhibited an adult male Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus turdoides), which I shot on Sept. 25th on a disused brickfield close to the West St Leonards Railway Station. I first saw it feeding at the top of some sallow bushes, but on finding itself observed it became very skulking, and it was not till an hour later that I rediscovered it in a bed of nettles, and shot it. The tarsi and toes of this specimen were dark slate-grey, and its gizzard contained earwigs.
As Mr. Howard Saunders remarks (Man. Brit. Birds, p. 83), it is curious that this species, which is so common on the Continent, should so seldom visit our shores. Its size alone would at once attract attention. The bird I shot uttered no note, but it was plainly visible at a distance as it hopped about the bushes, and looks likes a very large Garden Warbler.
This is the fifth authentic record of this bird in Britain, and the first in Sussex, for although Mr. Borrer (Birds of Sussex, p. 64) mentions a bird having been seen which was believed to be this species, it was not obtained.'
M. J. Nicoll (1904) in The Ibis, Vol. XLVI. p. 476, says: 'On referring to my Diary, I find the following notes: Sept. 25. I shot a Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus turdoides) at St. Leonard's.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 84, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', and accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 381).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1905 Sussex Little Common, Bexhill, male, 1st May, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.675).
(J. B. Nichols, Zoologist 1905: 268; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 84; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Watson, 2010).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History J. B. Nichols (1905) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IX. p. 268, says: 'On May 1st, 1905, a very male Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus turdoides) was killed at Bexhill, Sussex, in full adult yellow plumage. It was brought to Mr. Bristow, of St. Leonards-on-Sea, to be set up, and is now in my collection.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 84, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', and accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (1): 381).
Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen that was obtained at Little Common, Bexhill, Sussex, on 1st May 1905, adding that it was bought at the sale of J. B. Nichols collection.
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1906 Norfolk Horning, seen, 1st August.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1907: 132; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 1: 85; Witherby, 1920-24; Riviere, 1930; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999).
[KAN].
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. p. 132, says: 'August 1st. A Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus turdoides) seen at Horning by Mr. Bird. As it was only fifteen yards away, and a good view was obtained of it clinging to some reed, with tail and wings half-spread, he can hardly have been mistaken. Mr. Bird also believes he saw a pair on the River Bure in July, 1886, about a mile from where this year's bird was seen. But even this is probably not its first occurrence in Norfolk (cf. Saunders's Manual of British Birds, ed. I. p. 75). As it is a fairly common visitor in summer to the north of France, it is singular that it has not been identified more often in England.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1907) in British Birds, Vol. I. p. 85, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', and accepted locally by Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling (1999) who state that it is out of the normal date range of occurrences in Britain.
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Outside of normal date range. Not acceptable.
0). 1906 Sussex St Leonards-on-Sea, adult male, obtained, 12th September, now at the Booth Museum, Brighton.
(E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 1: 304; N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 3: 294-295; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History E. N. Bloomfield (1911) in the Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. p. 304, says: 'Dr. N. F. Ticehurst has sent me a long and very interesting list of rare birds which have occurred in our own and neighbouring districts, to which I have added a few others lately presented to the Museum by Mr. W. H. Mullens. In Sussex - Acrocephalus turdoides, Meyer, Great Reed Warbler, St Leonards, September 12th, 1906.'
N. F. Ticehurst (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. pp. 294-295, says: 'The authorities in charge of the Booth Museum at Brighton have recently issued, under the editorship of Mr. A. F. Griffith, a supplement to the third edition of the Catalogue of the collection. This consists of a description of a few of Booth's birds that were not included in that edition, together with a considerable list of additions made to the collection during the last fifteen years.
Chief among these are the Borrer and Monk collections purchased in 1901 and 1905 respectively, and the collection of the late Bishop Wilberforce presented by his son in 1903. These three collections are all rich in local Sussex birds, and contain many of the rare and unique specimens recorded in Borrer's Birds of Sussex. Several of these specimens had already been mentioned in the third edition of the Catalogue, but others do not appear to have been elsewhere recorded, and so were not included in the serial paper of 'Additions' published in Vols. I. and II. of our Magazine.
The most important appear to be as follows: - Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus turdoides). An adult male, shot by George Bristow in a brickpit at St Leonards on September 12th, 1906.'
Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (1): 381) who adds: '...now at the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton.'
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1912 Norfolk Near Horning, seen, 21st July.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1913: 175; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 9: 787; Seago, 1977).
[Eds., British Birds 7: 122; Riviere, 1930].
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1913) in The Zoologist, 4th series Vol. XVII. p. 165, says: 'Principal Rarities. A Great Reed Warbler in July.'
In an Editorial (1913) in British Birds, Vol. VII. p. 122, of the above, placing the record in square brackets, they say: 'A "large Reed-Warbler", believed to have been of this species, was seen by Mr. E. Campbell Taylor on the Broads on July 21st (p. 175).'
Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1914) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IX. p. 787, under 'Additions to Part XI (Sixth List) 1909-13'.
Riviere (1930: 62) says: 'Seen by Mr. E. Campbell Taylor near Horning, on 21st July, 1912, and believed to be of this species.'
Comment On turning to the July "Notes" of Norfolk, 1912, Gurney makes no mention of the Great Reed Warbler, which may suggest he had prepared the yearly rarity list then found that the bird seen was not the Great Reed Warbler and omitted it, or we may have a genuine omission. Riviere states 'believed to be of this species'. Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.
0). 1912 Sussex St Leonards-on-Sea, male, obtained, 17th September, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMS.Z.1913.204).
(J. M. Collinson & R. Y. McGowan, British Birds 104: 543).
[J. M. Collinson & R. Y. McGowan, British Birds 104: 543].
History J. M. Collinson & R. Y. McGowan (2011) in British Birds, Vol. CIV. p. 543, in a Letter, under 'Hastings Rarities in the Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh', state that the following species were sold to the museum during 1913 and 1914 by George Bristow, the taxidermist of St Leonard's, who was at the heart of the fraud known as the 'Hastings Rarities', just before Witherby challenged him in 1916 over the amount of rarities recorded in the area. A male from St Leonards on 17th September 1912 (Acc. No. 1913.204).
0). 1916 Sussex St Leonards-on-Sea, male, found dead, 24th August.
(J. B. Nichols, British Birds 10: 254; W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 2: 247; BOU (1918), Ibis 60: 237).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History J. B. Nichols (1917) in British Birds, Vol. X. p. 254, says: 'An Eastern Great Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus orientalis), a male by dissection, was picked up under the wires by Mr. Pierson of Alfred Street, St. Leonards, on August 24th, 1916, at West St Leonards. It was seen in the flesh by Mr. Ruskin Butterfield and was kindly examined by Mr. W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Dr. Hartert and Mr. H. F. Witherby after being set up. Mr. Ogilvie-Grant writes me that he thinks there is no doubt that it is a young A. orientalis and that Dr. Hartert agrees. Mr. Witherby is of opinion that it is not a young bird, but an adult just completing its moult.'
Admitted nationally in their First List Report as the first for Britain of the Eastern form A. a. orientalis (BOU (1918) Ibis 60: 237).
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1932 Berkshire Reading Sewage-farm, seen, 30th August.
(T. W. Marshall, Field 3rd Oct., 1932: 556).
[B. W. Tucker, W. B. Alexander, G. S. Cansdale & M. G. Robinson, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1932: 15].
History T. W. Marshall of Reading (1921) in The Field of 8th Oct., Vol. CLVIII. p. 556, says: 'When at the Reading Sewage Farm on the evening of August 30th, I saw a Great Reed Warbler. It was clinging to a withered fennel stalk at a distance of about 5ft. from where I was standing and remained in that position for several minutes, so there was no mistaking it. I have not heard whether anyone else has observed this rare warbler in the Reading area.'
B. W. Tucker, W. B. Alexander, G. S. Cansdale & M. G. Robinson (1932) in the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, p. 15, placing the record in square brackets, say: 'A bird supposed to have been a Great Reed Warbler was seen at Reading Sewage Farm on the evening of Aug. 30 and was recorded by the observer, Mr. T. W. Marshall, 43 Alexander Road, Reading, in The Field, Oct. 3, 1932, p. 556.
The bird is stated to have been clinging to a withered fennel stem and to have been observed in this position for several minutes at a range of about 5 ft., "so that there was no mistaking it". The observer, however, appears to have had no previous experience of the species and we cannot accept the evidence as adequate.'
0). 1937 Kent Appledore, seen, 2nd August.
(C. B. Ticehurst, British Birds 31: 120-121; R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1937: 32; Harrison, 1953).
[Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1984].
History C. B. Ticehurst (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. pp. 120-121, says: 'On August 2nd, 1937, near Appledore, Kent, I was walking along a dyke which had much lush vegetation - rushes, giant dock, water plantain, etc. - along its edges when I saw flitting from stem to stem by the water's edge a bird which was undoubtedly a Great Reed Warbler and presumably Acrocephalus a. arundinaceus.
The dyke at that early hour (7 a.m.) was full of Reed and Sedge Warblers busily feeding and the large size of this bird, compared with its companions, the coloration and its typical mode of settling on stems and its flight left no doubt on my mind as to its identity, as it is a bird I am very familiar with in many countries. It was not possible, of course, to be certain that the stranger was not Acrocephalus stentoreus, a bird not yet on the British list; the colour, however, was too fulvous for Arundinax aedon.
I saw the bird on three occasions, flitting in front of me as I walked along the dyke and finally lost it in a tangle of high vegetation. A visit during the same afternoon found the dyke deserted of bird-life. Dr. N. H. Joy informs me that there was a large movement of migrants at Dungeness Light the previous night.'
R. Whitlock (1937) in the South-Eastern Bird Report, p. 32, quotes from British Birds.
Not accepted locally (Taylor, Davenport & Flegg 1984).
0). 1941 Norfolk Hickling, seen, 16th May.
(J. Vincent, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1941: 14).
[KAN].
History Jim Vincent (1941) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, 1941, p. 14, under 'Bird Notes from Hickling, 1941', says: 'On May 16th one of the reed-cutters reported that he had seen "a Reed Warbler as big as a Mavis" in the reeds quite close to him and that it was unusually noisy. Two other men who were cleaning out a dyke 100 yards away from him also heard this strange bird singing. All three are good observers and know all the local species. I explored the area three days later, but neither saw nor heard the bird, but from its description, I believe it to have been a Great Reed Warbler.'
Comment Not specifically identified. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
