Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) at Pennington Flash, Leigh 17-19 May 1977, a species new to Greater Manchester

During the evening of 17th May a strange loud bird song was heard in the vicinity of the small pond between the yacht club buildings and Sorrowcow Farm. The next morning R. W. Rhodes positively identified the songster as a Great Reed Warbler and it was seen and heard by many observers before it was last noted at 11:00 hrs. on 19th May. The large size, plain brown upperparts, white stripe above the eye and very heavy bill were all noted but the loud strident croaking song "karra-karra-kriet-kriet" was the most striking feature- and this was satisfactorily recorded on tape. The song was usually delivered from the lowest branches at the centre of a large willow tree. The bird flew across the pond on many occasions and perched readily on gorse and hawthorn bushes.

J. D. Wilson