London@Essex DUSKY WARBLER still present today

An early morning trip up to Lockwood Reservoir this morning with Sean Minns proved highly successful. The DUSKY WARBLER performed intermittently from 07.45 to 09.30 when it appeared to fly across the Flood Relief Channel towards the allotments. It became increasingly vocal as the morning progressed. For most of the time it kept very low down in scrub and grass along the concrete edge of the channel. Ranging c.300m. A scope was essential. Morning light was excellent. At its closest it was c.15m away. This is a new Essex species for both of us. We parked in the Water Company Compound, bought a £1.00 permit and entered via the gate on the N side of the road. The walk due N is about 20 minutes keeping Lockwood on your left. Look on the right hand side of the Flood Relief Channel due NE of the top of the res. COMMON CHIFFCHAFF also present but this bird was more active and hunted at a higher elevation. For some time there appeared to be a loose association. On Lockwood were: SLAVONIAN GREBE (in front of brightly painted block of flats) EGYPTIAN GEESE 2 GREEN SANDPIPER (per Graham Ekins)