Hume's Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus humei)

OTHER NAMES: Hume's Warbler, Buff-browed warbler
Latin Etymology:  Phylloscopus ("leaf seeker") humei (for naturalist Allan Hume)

Adult Hume's Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus humei) at Warham Greens, Norfolk, UK- October 2025

Featured Subspecies: Phylloscopus humei humei
Weight: 6.5g  /  Length: 10-11cm  /  Wingspan: 15-21cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A particularly tiny leaf warbler whose native range essentially follows the Western border of China before extending up into Russia and Mongolia. Despite its typical location it can not infrequently turn up in Europe as a vagrant - an impressive distance! They breed in larch and pine forests and subsist almost enitrely on small insects.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Phylloscopidae
Genus: Phylloscopus
SUBSPECIES: P. h. humeii, P. h. mandelli

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A rare vagrant
 - An Autumn vagrant seen at Warham Greens in October 2025.

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

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Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus)

OTHER NAMES: Pale Harrier
Latin Etymology: Circus (bird named for circling flight)  macrourus ("long-tailed")

Juvenile female Pallid Harrier (subspecies ) at Warham Greens, Norfolk - December 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 380g  /  Length: 40-48cm  /  Wingspan: 95-120cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

Breeding from Eastern Europe to the Steppes of Central Asia, the Pallid Harrier is the only European Harrier species to not regularly be found in the UK - the species gets its name from the pale silver grey of the males plumage. In structure it most resembles the Montagu's harrier but the plumage is much more subtly marked. While it is considered Nea Threatened globally, it does seem to be expanding its range to the West, with several pairs breeding in Western Europe in recent years for the first recorded time.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Circus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A rare vagrant
 - A wintering vagrant at Warham in December 2022

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

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