This is the ninth in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood. The focus of this article will be on the Marsh Warbler.
It took me a long time of being in and around Pigeon Valley before I became aware that there was a bird I knew nothing about. One day, crawling under a bush to track down an alien creeper, I realised that next to me was a little bird that constantly chattered away and scrambled through the foliage. Richard Boon, the botanist and ecologist, explained to me that this is a Marsh Warbler, and that there were a few in Pigeon Valley.
This bird migrates from Europe or Western Asia to Southern Africa. It is known to copy calls of about 75 bird species; it imitates both African and European birds with remarkable accuracy, interspersed with its own trills and sounds. Its ability to memorise and reproduce calls is remarkable – smallness is no obstacle to intelligence!
ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Common Mother-of-Pearl butterfly
The bird is little known because it is so hidden; its presence is usually revealed only by the male’s constant and energetic calling. I was thought lucky; I came into an area where I could hear the bird calling and was able to watch and record it on video. So here you can see a rare video of the bird in South Africa:
That was a year ago, but this summer one morning I heard an unmistakeable calling in my garden, and since then have had the privilege of a great morning chorus. On a couple of occasions I have had a glimpse of this shy visitor. Before long they will be returning north to Europe; as this time approaches they tend to call more insistently.
Crispin Hemson chairs the Friends of Pigeon Valley, a group that undertakes clearing of alien plants, keeps records of bird and mammal sightings and alerting management to any problems.
The Friends have a monthly walk at 7.30am on the second Saturday of each month. Email: friendsofpigeonvalley1@gmail.com.
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