An unidentified Large Acrocephalus!
2-3 May, Yotvata Sewage Pools

Most folks would need a pretty good reason to spend seven hours at Yotvata's stinking sewer pools on the hottest weekend of the year, but this large 'Acrocephalus' warbler had me really puzzled! As yet, I haven't been able to come up with a satisfactory identification.

The bird was clearly large and bulky, comparable in size to two typical Great Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) present at the same site, but if anything appeared slightly smaller than those birds. However, its general field appearance was much greyer, indeed strikingly so, especially on the rump when seen in flight. It also appeared slightly shorter winged and shorter tailed, especially in flight. I am familiar with 'zarudnyi', the eastern form of Great Reed Warbler but have never seen anything quite so obviously pale as this bird.

Share your view

We would like to invite reader participation on this identification, and have included six 'intriguing' images. A click on the thumbnail will enlarge each image. We will be happy to publish the most instructive reader comments on our site in several weeks time. Do let us know what you think, your information and comments would be most welcome.

Good birding,

James P. Smith & The Birdingisrael Team

Click the pictures to enlarge (+)

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