Unidentified Warbler

[terste]

I always find it very difficult to distinguish between warblers. Took this photo at Slapton Ley, South Devon on 1st June 2009. It was perched on some brambles but saw others clinging to the reeds in the reed beds there.

Would appreciate any help in distinguishing between Whitethroats, Reed Warblers, Garden Warblers etc.

Thanks in advance

[Naturenutz]

Hi,terste
Looks like a common whitethroat to me. One of the best ways is to get to know the different songs of each bird. They are often hard to distinguish when half hidden in a bush or shrub . warblers are no doubt one of the harder species to id .

[Lance Morgan]

I agree a Whitethroat

[terste]

Thanks to you both, must admit I thought it was a Whitethroat too after looking at my bird books and the Gallery here. However I am never confident with Warblers so will take your advice Naturenutz and start studying their songs. Will remember to record their song when taking the shot in future.

[Chas]

I know Slapton Ley well, this is a Whitethroat and you did great to get such a good photo because it will undoubtedly be breeding at the moment and be acting a little bit furtively. It has probably got a nest low down in those brambles. I find Whitethroat the easiest of the warblers to seperate because of the combination of white throat and russet back. Reed Warblers ( the ones you saw in the reeds can show a white throat but have totally different beak shape. Go back if you can and listen to the different calls/songs of the two species.
I don't think that garden warblers are present there at Slapton, but they are pretty much like a Blackcap Warbler but with no cap, the head is the same colour as the body. They have no wing bars either, in fact most people say that the fact that they have no distinguishing markings is in it's self a way to tell them apart. They sing beautifully by the way. There is a pair breeding at Challacombe Farm on the moor, PM if you want me to tell you exactly where.