Best time to see: mid Apr to early Oct

Key facts

Nondescript bird with a sweet and mellow song

Habitat: very open deciduous woodland with plenty of bushes or bramble patches

Widespread summer visitor

Recognition

Nondescript greyish-brown plumage with buffy underside; 13–15 cm

Secretive, usually singing from deep cover Play

Feeds mainly on insects and some spiders, plus berries and fruit in autumn

Lifecycle

Nest is a cup of dry grass lined with hair, in thick cover usually less than 1 m. above ground

2 broods of 4–5 white eggs, blotched brown, May to June

Male usually builds several 'trial' nests before one is chosen