Well before May, the willow warbler’s song is back with us.
The sound is a cascade of silvery, descending notes, reminiscent of the chaffinch’s stepped descent, but higher, sweeter and more free-flowing.
Rather than ending with a flourish, the willow warbler just gets quiet as it reaches the lowest notes.
It can sound as though someone is quickly fading them out with the volume control.
The willow warbler arrives a little later than its two-tone cousin the chiffchaff, and the two look very much alike.
They are both tiny olive green birds. When we get a good look at a willow warbler we might notice lighter, pinkish legs rather than the chiffchaff’s often dark ones, or that it has longer wings and a stronger pale line over its eye.
But the two really are very alike, and the song is a more reliable way to tell them apart in spring.
During the breeding season willow warblers are found in many kinds of wooded areas, particularly upland forests and heathland, but also some parks and suburban areas.
As they stream into Britain in the spring they can sometimes be heard in other places too.
Our house is in the middle of a town, but it overlooks a few hawthorn trees in our neighbour’s small garden. One or two willow warblers will sometimes stop and sing in that little patch, perhaps just for a few minutes early one morning, before moving on. It’s a welcome cameo.
And many of our willow warblers are moving further north than they used to. Overall they are still our commonest warbler, with around two million territories in the UK. However they have disappeared from many areas of southern and eastern England in recent years, at the same time as they’ve been slightly increasing further north and west.
So, not one to be taken for granted. And they sound wonderful, wherever you hear one.
Just keep your ears tuned for that sweet descent.
Next week: Long-tailed Tit
Three more ways to learn with Birdsong Academy:
Our next Up With The Birds early morning Zoom call is on Friday 13 May. We will be listening for willow warbler, nightingale, garden warbler, hobby and other woodland birds. Book a free ticket here.
There is a half-day birdsong walkshop, also on 13 May, at Stanmer Park near Brighton. We will search for warblers, downland songbirds and cake. More information and tickets here.
There is still time (just!) to join the year’s final run of the 10-week Birdsong Essentials course - our first practice session via Zoom is this Saturday. Find out more and sign up here (reduced cost places are available for those who would find the fee a barrier - just get in touch).
~ Charlie, Birdsong Academy
Media credits:
Willow Warbler in autumn at Beachy Head - photograph by Ron Knight reproduced under CC BY 2.0 licence