Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Sylvia ("woodland sprite") curruca (bird mentioned by Juvenal)

Adult Lesser Whitethroats (subspecies S. c. curruca) at Alexandra Palace, London - September 2015

Featured Subspecies: Sylvia curruca curruca

Weight: 12g  /  Length: 13cm  /  Wingspan: 18cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Lesser Whitethroat is perhaps the most difficult to see species relative to how common it is - it is perhaps the most skulking of the widespread warblers of the UK, much easier to hear than it is to see with it's vaguely belligerent harsh sounding repeated "jut" sounds.   It also suffers from being similar to the related common whitethroat, there are some features which can be used to separate it out - dark coloured legs, a pale "milky" breast (rather than pinkish), a dark mask (rather than a uniformly grey head) and a cool brown back (rather than warm russet).  I'd actually seen this species a couple of times prior to finally managing to photograph it, generally glimpses before vanishing into a thicket. However, while in Alexandra Park in Autumn I ended up getting easily identifiable views on several occasions throughout the morning - this could tie into the fact that as their migration approaches they apparently are less skulking.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sylvdiidae
Genus: Sylvia
Subspecies: S. c. curruca, S. c. blythi

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Widespread but secretive breeding Summer migrant (74,000 birds) 

 - Seen in late Summer at Rutland Water and Alexandra Palace, heard in various other locations

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

OTHER NAMES: Strawsmear, Small straw, Haychat, Pettychaps

Latin Etymology: Sylvia ("woodland sprite") borin (Genoese name for species)

Adult Garden Warbler (subspecies S. b. borin) in Geddington Chase, Northants - July 2012

Featured Subspecies: Sylvia borin borin
Weight: 16-22g  /  Length: 14cm  /  Wingspan: 22cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

It could easily be argued that the Garden warbler is the most drab species of bird in the UK - you can even take this to the point where most guides I've seen note its lack of distinguishing features as its distinguishing feature! In general though, the slightly short beak and relatively heavy build set it apart from most warblers. Its song is very similar to the blackcap, but as that has radically different plumage if you see it it shouldn't be a problem. Supposedly quite numerous, the biggest issue with this bird is that it is a skulker.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes 
Family: Sylviidae 
Genus: Sylvia 
Subspecies: S. b. borin, S. b. woodwardi

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Fairly common breeding Summer migrant (170,000 territories)

 - Seen reasonably often around Geddington and Brigstock in appropriate habitat at the right time of year,

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

OTHER NAMES: Blackcap, Mock Nightingale

Latin Etymology: Sylvia ("woodland sprite") atricapilla ("black-haired")

Adult male Blackcap (subspecies S. a. atricapilla) in Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire - April 2022

Featured Subspecies: Sylvia atricapilla atricapilla
Weight: 16-25g  /  Length: 13cm  /  Wingspan: 20-23cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The blackcap is one of the UK's commoner warblers, and unlike a number of the others it can be found with relative ease throughout the year. It is also one of the easiest to identify - unlike most warblers the male blackcap is actually pale grey rather than the generic brown, and it's namesake black cap can make it look at distance as much like a marsh or willow tit as a warbler. IT can be a bit skulking at times so getting a clear shot isn't always easy.

Further Information:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sylviidae
Genus: Sylvia
Subspecies: S. a. atricapilla, S. a. dammholzi, S. a. paulucii, S. a. heineken, S. a. gularis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common breeding species (1,200,000 pairs) and scarce Wintering species (approx. 3000 birds)

 - Birds seen at various sites including Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Geddington and Wooler

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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