Savi’s Warbler and more - Ringing at Alba Marsh (Bahrain)

Nicole and I went ringing last weekend for the first time since last spring. The temperature is now low enough to get back to ringing and as a result we got to the site early. We had to cut a few new net rides and it took a little longer to set the nets than normal as we were out of practice but by 06:30 everything was up and running. We caught ten birds in total including a Common Moorhen, Clamorous Reed Warbler re-trapped at the same site from 2 November 2012, six European Reed Warblers and a Wryneck.

European Reed Warbler

European Reed Warbler

Common Moorhen - juvenile

 The best birds for us were the Wryneck but especially the Savi’s Warbler which is the third we have caught at the same site. It is a good bird for Bahrain where it is currently classed as a vagrant with birds seen in both spring and autumn migration periods. The fact we have caught three different birds in two years at the same site indicate they are a scarce passage migrant rather than a vagrant and this will need to be updated by the relevant authorities over time. The subspecies of Savi’s Warbler that occurs in the region is Locustella luscinoides fusca which is more olive brown with paler under-parts and more obvious white tips to the under-tail coverts than the nominate European form L l luscinodes making it look slightly different. They are certainly dark looking birds compared to the Reed Warblers we were catching.

Savi's Warbler

Savi's Warbler

Savi's Warbler

Savi's Warbler