Bird Watch:
Then... in 1959 and Now... AG in 2020
SOMETIMES known as the willow wren, the species is distributed throughout the British Isles. It is slightly larger than the chiffchaff, which it closely resembles, except that the willow warbler has pinkish-brown feet and legs, and there is a slightly more yellowish tinge to its olive-green upper parts. Both species have a creamy-white eye stripe.
Moss, fern and grass stalks constitute the domed nest, which has an entrance at the side; the interior is lavishly furnished with feathers.
A favorite nesting situation is low down among hedgerow herbage, the eggs being white, lightly speckled with rusty-red, and from four to seven in number.
Willow warblers are most friendly and when engrossed in the all-important task of feeding their family become oblivious to human onlookers. I have often happily sat and watched them no more than 6ft (1.8m) from their nest without any attempt at concealment.
N Melville Nicholas
ALTHOUGH willow warbler numbers have been slowly declining in the UK for the past 25 years, placing them on the ‘Amber list’ of concern, they are still a relatively common sight. They arrive in Europe, including the UK, in April, travelling all the way from South Africa to make their home in woodland, scrubby areas and gardens to raise their chicks.
These little birds are one of our most numerous feathered summer visitors, with an estimated 2.4 million pairs setting up temporary residence.
They mainly eat insects, which makes them great friends to gardeners, though they also fuel up on berries and fruit before they make the return journey south in September.
Unlike most other birds, willow warblers moult twice a year, once in their breeding ground and once in their winter home. No one is quite sure why, but if any AG ornithologists have any theories, we’d love to hear them.
Ruth Hayes