Which warbler?

QRecently on a cruise through the Mediterranean, the ship attracted several avian hitch-hikers (including a Long-eared Owl!), most of them warblers. This one divided opinion, with some suggesting Melodious and others Icterine. Can you put us right please? David Cunniffe

AMost guide books would say that Melodious Warbler would be a more likely spot in the Mediterranean, especially the western part, and we would agree that this bird resembles that species more closely than the very similar Icterine. Both species share the yellow underparts, ‘open’ face and grey legs and bi-coloured bill. However, this bird has medium length rather than very long primaries (which Icterine Warblers have) and does not show any pale longitudinal panel in the wing, as is often shown by Icterine Warblers. So, we believe this is a Melodius Warbler.