Willow Warbler

Nothing says 'Spring' to me more than the Willow Warbler.

Willow Warbler

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!