Willow or Wood warbler?

[Madelinew]

I have a family of small birds in my fir trees this morning and have never seen them here before. I've managed to narrow them down to either willow or wood warblers but can't get beyond that as they are youngsters. The head is unmistakeable with the yellow stripe over the eye. I noticed the pale underbelly first because I initially thought they were my usual blue tit youngsters coming in for a bit of breakfast. Still on blue tits as I noticed some of them had pale yellow undersides but then I realised they were very slightly bigger and that's when I saw the eye stripes - I noticed a dark stripe across the eye first. I thought willow originally as there wasn't much yellow but some of them have more than others. But then I listened to the RSPB bird sounds and came more on the side of willow again although I still wasn't 100% certain.

Sorry it sounds so vague but I wonder if anyone else has a theory based on my rubbish description.

They've gone now but they were certainly very chatty

[Gill Catton]

have you checked out goldcrest and firecrest too? They love fir trees and sort of sound a bit like your description...

Otherwise, wood warblers are quite bright yellow and white and aren't that widespread so of the two my money is on willow warbler.

[earthdragon64]

Did you hear them singing at all? They have very different songs and it's a good way to tell them apart. If you look on the RSPB website, there is a menu bar across the top, if you hover over "Birds & Wildlife", a menu appears, click on "Birds By Name". Then you can look at some info for each bird which includes a recording of the song.

[Madelinew]

Definitely not fire or gold crests as I have those passing through at certain times of the year and they are not only much smaller but very bright in comparison on colour. I did hear them singing but when I checked the RSPB website, one of them wasn't that clear or long. I'm inclined towards willow as the yellow was very subtle rather than the brighter colouring of the wood warbler in one of my bird books. Thanks all

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Madelinew

Definitely not fire or gold crests as I have those passing through at certain times of the year and they are not only much smaller but very bright in comparison on colour.

I agree with your assessment of size here.

I think you could be right with Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff are looking decidedly more drab now as they begin their moult and any youngsters now not as bright or clearly marked as you describe.

Given the time of year, and the fact you have just noticed them and have now gone, my feelings would be you have had a group of Willow Warblers passing through on migration - they are on the move now and tend to move in groups of varying ages - I saw 10 in one short stretch of shrubs yesterday in a coastal spot - the variation between them is quite significant but they were all in fresh plumage.

[Madelinew]

Well I'm very pleased to have seen them. They've been in and out of the garden all day depending on local cat activity and they are very gregarious little things. I love the subtle yellow on their breasts. Beautiful birds. I've had quite a few migrants this year and these have taken my bird species numbers to the magic 40.

My favourite birds at the moment however are my baby blue tits. I love the faded look of their plumage and they are very funny as well as the noisiest birds in the garden when demanding food from their parents. And they can empty 2 sunflowere seed holders in an afternoon but I forgive them.

[ChrisJB]

I'd say willow warblers too. Not many are in song now. You are most likely to hear their rather mournful contact call at this time of year. All my local ones are in contact call mode at the moment.

Regards, Chris