Another Phylloscopus warbler and a cousin to the Chiffchaff from my previous post, is the Willow Warbler. This bird can lay claim to being Britain`s most numerous summer visitor with over 2 million territories, although in recent years there has been a 37% decline in numbers recorded.
Superficially, very similar to the Chiffchaff, but differs by having longer wings, a slightly longer body, cleaner yellow underparts and a clearer, more defined supercilium. Also, the legs tend to be paler in colouration. The voice is completely different and when unsure of identification this can be the clincher. The song is liquid series of descending notes that start softly and ends with a flourish.
The bird in the above digiscoped photos was putting on quite a show, singing well, enabling me to identify him with ease!
Wonderful images John.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew, too kind.
DeleteJ
Super shots John, especially the windswept one. They do have a lovely song. I can only tell the difference between Chiffy and the Willow Warbler when they are singing.{:)
ReplyDeleteHi Roy,
DeleteThank you. It sounds quite `wistful` to me! I am sure that isn`t true, I have seen the evidence! ;)
J
Ah, don't we love the singers of the natural world! And how great the way you've once again caught one in the act. Our yard was full of birdsong tonight--more than usual, even. It's such a pleasure. The best music there is.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
DeleteThank you and as you say, there is no better music, we try and copy it in our way, but will never beat the natural world!
J
Lovely photos of another summer favourite John. Perfect against the blue sky :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan,
DeleteThe blue sky is thankfully becoming more common now :)
J
Beautiful! Thanks for the description; it all helps when you're new to birding, like me. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Omi,
DeleteThank you. This and the Chiffchaff are really quite difficult to separate when they are seen high up in a tree, but the points I picked out should help to ease that problem! ;)
J
Wow, with those high numbers they should be reasonably easy to see. However, I do prefer the birds to come to me!
ReplyDeleteClick here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
You would think that, wouldn`t you, but you are more likely to hear them than see them, especially with the ever increasing leaf cover. I assume you are refering to the feathered variety?! ;)
DeleteJ