Dusky Warbler - 2008

Phylloscopus fuscatus

Vagrant.

The Dusky Warbler breeds from Siberia to Mongolia wintering to the south but is a vagrant of annual occurrence to Britain.

The first Dusky Warbler recorded in Pembrokeshire was at Strumble Head on the 15th October 1988, being seen by Stuart Devonald, Graham Rees and John Stafford. Initially seen in the open it behaved in an agitated manner. When the observers backed off it immediately flew into deep cover in gorse. It was only subsequently viewable by using a car as a makeshift hide when it foraged on the ground.

The second to be recorded was found by Paull Grennard at Porth Clais, and was seen from the 10th to the 15th of November 2003. It was also skulking but this time in willows and with patience was seen by many observers.

Graham Rees.

(Covers records up to and including 2008).