Best time to see: late Mar to mid Oct
Key facts
Named after its call, is usually one of the first warblers to arrive in spring, although some now stay for the winter
Habitat: mainly open woodland
Widespread and common summer visitor, wintering around the Mediterranean and south of the Sahara
Recognition
Drab olive-brown above, buff below; 1011cm
Very active; flits about foliage in continuous feeding on small insects, such as caterpillars, gnats and midges
Song is a characteristic repeated chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff
Lifecycle
Nest is a dome of moss and grasses lined with feathers on the ground
1 or 2 broods April to May; usually 67 white eggs, speckled purple
Nestlings fed only by female, fledging in c. 13 days
- Main photo
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Photo © David Harrison