As a family we had the pleasure of visiting Fox Corner local nature reserve for the first time this year a few days ago.
What struck me the most was a blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) singing in an unusual manner in some shrubs. I then heard another further away but it sounded more scratchy by the pond. I lingered near the shrub and it dawned on me that I was listening to a garden warbler (Sylvia borin)!
It was difficult to locate but after a few minutes I discovered it further away through binoculars in a tall tree.
I think that was the first time I’d ever heard the two species together. It was a real thrill. I savoured the sound in my head for a while afterwards.
Here’s the sound tracks of both heard from the RSPB website: