Aquatic Warbler record from 2009

All footage taken by Ian Lavell

On Sunday 27th September 2009, Jon discovered an Aquatic Warbler in the reeds where the current meadow stands today. This was sadly before my time being interested in rarities as I had a young family. I've never found anything in terms of photographs of this unique record despite trying many times. With a stream of twitch photos appearing on social media during the COVID-19 crisis I dropped a tweet out appealing for any images and thankfully a birder who I've never met called Ian Lavell replied and kindly forwarded some video and screen shots.

The juvenile bird was present from Sunday 27th September to 1st October 2009. This was only the second record in Warwickshire & third for the region. It was an amazing find by Jon who also found the previous county record at Toft Farm Lakes in August 2005.

Apparently many birders connected with the bird during it's stay but it did cause a long term issue & never to be repaired relationship with CEMEX. Access for all who wanted to see the bird was being arranged until those who couldn't wait trespassed on site after hours. The main cause was a certain midlands birder who released the news to a wider audience before access could be arranged as it was a Sunday. 

If anyone reading this did take any photographs, I would love to add them to this digital record. There are not any photographs in the West Midland Bird Club Annual Review.