{"id":23875,"date":"2023-02-23T15:07:05","date_gmt":"2023-02-23T14:07:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=139640"},"modified":"2023-02-23T15:35:32","modified_gmt":"2023-02-23T14:35:32","slug":"willow-warbler-guide-song-appearance-distribution-and-migration","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/willow-warbler-guide-song-appearance-distribution-and-migration\/","title":{"rendered":"Willow warbler guide: song, appearance, distribution and migration"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\"> This small, greenish bird has a soft, lilting song, a sure sign that spring is here. Learn all about this tuneful member of the warbler family \u2013 including appearance, song and migration patterns \u2013 with our birder&#8217;s guide <\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By Dominic Couzens\n                \t\t<\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Thursday, 23 February 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p><hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body> <p>The <a href=\"\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife\/birds\/chiffchaff\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">chiffchaff<\/a> is lovable, but to many it is the willow warbler\u2019s gorgeous, gentle song, a soft lilting down the scale, that proves spring is really here.<\/p>\n<p>A small, greenish bird the size of a <a href=\"\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife\/how-to-identify\/birds-guide-to-britains-tit-species\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">tit<\/a>, the willow warbler (<em>Phylloscopus trochilus<\/em>) is easily missed among the fresh spring leaves of birches and willows.<\/p>\n<p>In this guide we take a closer look at the willow warbler, including what they look like, their song and nesting habits.<\/p>\n<p>Interested in learning more about Britain\u2019s birds? Check out our guides to <a href=\"\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife\/birds\/british-finches-how-to-identify-and-where-to-see\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">finches<\/a>, <a href=\"\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife\/how-to-identify\/birds-guide-to-britains-tit-species\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">tits<\/a>, <a href=\"\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife\/birds\/woodpecker-guide-uk-species-how-to-identify-where-to-see\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">woodpeckers<\/a> and <a href=\"\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife\/birds\/thrushes\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">thrushes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"&quot;highlight\"><div class=\"&quot;highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\"> <h4>Warblers of the UK<\/h4>\n<p>Warblers are a group of small, often green-brown birds with varied songs. Learn more about these spring and summer songsters with our guide to the warblers of Britain.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife\/birds\/warblers\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">Warblers guide: UK species and how to identify<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><p> <\/p><\/div> <div class=\"&quot;highlight__image-container&quot;\"> <div class=\"&quot;highlight__image&quot;\"> <div class=\"&quot;img-container\" img-container--highlight-image=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Sedge-warbler-20ca0a8.png?quality=45&amp;resize=556,556&quot;\" srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Sedge-warbler-20ca0a8.png?quality=45&amp;resize=1025,1025\" https:=\"\" sizes=\"&quot;(min-width:\" calc=\"\" width=\"&quot;556&quot;\" height=\"&quot;556&quot;\" class=\"&quot;img-container__image\" img-fluid=\"\" wp-image-139583=\"\" alignnone=\"\" size-highlight_image=\"\" img-container__image=\"\" alt=\"&quot;Sedge\" warbler=\"\" singing=\"\" at=\"\" dawn=\"\" on=\"\" red=\"\" campion=\"\" title=\"&quot;Sedge\"\/><\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section><hr\/><h2>What does a willow warbler look like?<\/h2>\n<p>Willow warbler and <a href=\"\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife\/birds\/chiffchaff\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">chiffchaff<\/a> are often linked as one of the species pairs in Britain that are hardest to tell apart by sight. However, the willow warbler has longer wings and is slightly paler below than chiffchaff, with browner legs and a flatter forehead, with a more obvious pale eyebrow but less obvious eye-ring. It is often a question of judgment and never easy tell them apart.<\/p>\n<p>An older name, linked to its diminutive stature as a bird not bigger than a tit, is willow wren.<\/p>\n<div class=\"&quot;image-handler__container\" image-handler__container--aspect=\"\" style=\"&quot;padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=299%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=299%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=404%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=404%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=407%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=407%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><img class=\"&quot;wp-image-139587\" align=\"\" size-landscape_thumbnail=\"\" image-handler__image=\"\" image-handler__image--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-lazyload=\"\" data-src=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-beside-river-5db4bac.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413&quot;\" width=\"&quot;620&quot;\" height=\"&quot;413&quot;\" alt=\"&quot;&quot;\" title=\"&quot;&quot;\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><div class=\"&quot;caption-hold&quot;\"><figcaption class=\"&quot;wp-caption-text&quot;\"><span class=\"&quot;caption-copy&quot;\"><i class=\"&quot;icon-arrow\" icon-camera-circle=\"\"\/> The willow warbler has\u00a0longer wings and is slightly paler below than chiffchaff\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><span class=\"&quot;im-image-caption&quot;\"\/><\/div>\n<hr\/><h2>Willow warbler song<\/h2>\n<p>The willow warbler has one of the loveliest, most gentle of all British bird songs, and its charm is magnified by its context, as one of the first songs from a summer visitor heard in the year, often before the end of March.<\/p>\n<p>It is a sweet, almost sighing phrase that slips quietly down the scale and seems then to disappear on the breeze.<\/p>\n<iframe title=\"&quot;Willow\" warbler=\"\" song=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;113&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vr5voeJ14o0?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" web-share=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p><em>Credit: Gavin Vella<\/em><\/p>\n<hr\/><h2>Willow warbler habitat<\/h2>\n<p>The bird is typical of woodland edge and birch scrub, and it is often seen in willow bushes, as its name suggests.<\/p>\n<hr\/><h2>Willow warbler distribution and population<\/h2>\n<p>The willow warbler is common in the UK, particularly\u00a0in the north, but on the Amber List of Conservation Concern. Seen from April-September. 2 million pairs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"&quot;image-handler__container\" image-handler__container--aspect=\"\" style=\"&quot;padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=294%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=294%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=349%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=349%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=397%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=397%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=545%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=545%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=610%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=610%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=400%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=400%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=546%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=546%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><img class=\"&quot;wp-image-120641\" align=\"\" size-landscape_thumbnail=\"\" image-handler__image=\"\" image-handler__image--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-lazyload=\"\" data-src=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/04\/Willow-warbler-91076d3-e1677160383101.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=610%2C413&quot;\" width=\"&quot;620&quot;\" height=\"&quot;413&quot;\" alt=\"&quot;&quot;\" title=\"&quot;&quot;\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><div class=\"&quot;caption-hold&quot;\"><figcaption class=\"&quot;wp-caption-text&quot;\"><span class=\"&quot;caption-copy&quot;\"><i class=\"&quot;icon-arrow\" icon-camera-circle=\"\"\/> Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><span class=\"&quot;im-image-caption&quot;\"\/><\/div>\n<hr\/><h2>Willow warbler breeding, nesting and eggs<\/h2>\n<p>Despite its gentle song, the willow warbler does not enjoy a peaceful home life. Males are notoriously territorial and sometimes fight to the death. Females often assess a potential mate by its song-rate, since they have little time to make an assessment. And once male and female are paired, the male quite frequently seeks out another female in a quite different territory, presumably unbeknownst to the first partner (primary mate), who is usually incubating eggs at the time.<\/p>\n<p>The females construct an intricate domed nest which is placed on the ground. They may have two broods of 4-8 eggs, which constitutes a busy breeding season.<\/p>\n<div class=\"&quot;image-handler__container\" image-handler__container--aspect=\"\" style=\"&quot;padding-bottom:\" calc=\"\"> <picture><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=299%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=299%2C199,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=354%2C236,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=404%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=404%2C269,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(max-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=554%2C369,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=407%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=407%2C271,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?webp=true&amp;quality=90&amp;resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/webp&quot;\"><source media=\"&quot;(min-width:\" data-srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=555%2C370,\" https:=\"\" type=\"&quot;image\/jpeg&quot;\"><img class=\"&quot;wp-image-139644\" align=\"\" size-landscape_thumbnail=\"\" image-handler__image=\"\" image-handler__image--aspect=\"\" no-wrap=\"\" js-lazyload=\"\" data-src=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2023\/02\/Willow-warbler-nest-f428d96.jpg?quality=90&amp;resize=620%2C413&quot;\" width=\"&quot;620&quot;\" height=\"&quot;413&quot;\" alt=\"&quot;&quot;\" title=\"&quot;&quot;\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><div class=\"&quot;caption-hold&quot;\"><figcaption class=\"&quot;wp-caption-text&quot;\"><span class=\"&quot;caption-copy&quot;\"><i class=\"&quot;icon-arrow\" icon-camera-circle=\"\"\/> Willow warbler feeding its chicks in summer nature\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><span class=\"&quot;im-image-caption&quot;\"\/><\/div>\n<hr\/><h2>Willow warbler migration<\/h2>\n<p>The willow warbler young quickly moult and then head off on migration to sub-Saharan Africa, mainly the west, and most are gone by September. Bizarrely, not long after it arrives, it moults all its feathers again, a habit almost unique among birds.<\/p>\n<section class=\"&quot;highlight\"><div class=\"&quot;highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\"> <h4>Bird migration guide<\/h4>\n<p>Throughout the year, millions of birds migrate to and from the British Isles. Our expert guide explores why some birds arrive in the UK in particular seasons and others leave, which species migrate and where they go when they leave Britain\u2019s shores.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife\/birds\/where-do-birds-go-in-winter\/&quot;\" target=\"&quot;_blank&quot;\" rel=\"&quot;noopener&quot; noopener noreferrer\">Which bird species migrate and where do they go?<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul><p> <\/p><\/div> <div class=\"&quot;highlight__image-container&quot;\"> <div class=\"&quot;highlight__image&quot;\"> <div class=\"&quot;img-container\" img-container--highlight-image=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/11\/Greylag-geese-in-flight-ae718e4.jpg?quality=45&amp;resize=556,556&quot;\" srcset=\"&quot;https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/11\/Greylag-geese-in-flight-ae718e4.jpg?quality=45&amp;resize=1025,1025\" https:=\"\" sizes=\"&quot;(min-width:\" calc=\"\" width=\"&quot;556&quot;\" height=\"&quot;556&quot;\" class=\"&quot;img-container__image\" img-fluid=\"\" wp-image-67267=\"\" alignnone=\"\" size-highlight_image=\"\" img-container__image=\"\" alt=\"&quot;Geese\" flying=\"\" title=\"&quot;Greylag\" geese=\"\" in=\"\" flight=\"\"\/><\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> This small, greenish bird has a soft, lilting song, a sure sign that spring is here. Learn all about this tuneful member of the warbler family \u2013 including appearance, song and migration patterns \u2013 with our birder&#8217;s guide <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":23876,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"4"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/willow-warbler-guide-song-appearance-distribution-and-migration.jpg",1600,1064,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/willow-warbler-guide-song-appearance-distribution-and-migration-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/willow-warbler-guide-song-appearance-distribution-and-migration-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/willow-warbler-guide-song-appearance-distribution-and-migration-768x511.jpg",768,511,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/willow-warbler-guide-song-appearance-distribution-and-migration-1024x681.jpg",800,532,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/willow-warbler-guide-song-appearance-distribution-and-migration-1536x1021.jpg",1536,1021,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/02\/willow-warbler-guide-song-appearance-distribution-and-migration.jpg",1600,1064,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"This small, greenish bird has a soft, lilting song, a sure sign that spring is here. Learn all about this tuneful member of the warbler family \u2013 including appearance, song and migration patterns \u2013 with our birder's guide","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/23875"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23876"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}