Whitethroats

[Guinnessman1974]

I've going to make this year the year (after a fairly recent resurgence in my birdwatching hobby) to finally see the 'common' birds that I have never seen.

For example, I have recorded ('ticked' off) all the common-ish Warblers: Wood, Garden, Dartford, Reed, Willow, plus ChiffChaff and of course Blackcap.

However, never seen a Whitethroat or Lesser Whitethroat! Where to see these birds, and why have they eluded me!

Any ideas on how / when / where to spot a Whitethroat please?

[Dogghound]

Where in the UK are you? Looking in open areas such as farmland, heath, forest edge and scrub. They like bramble and are found along hedges like hawthorn and blackthorn, scrubby dense bramble, nettle, shrubs etc. Both species tend to be common here, and the song is a very distinctive scratchy warble (common) often from within the bush. Lesser has an equally distinctive short call.

[Guinnessman1974]

Thanks for the info, I live in Shropshire.

I wonder if I have passed off Whitethroats as Blackcaps as the calls are quite similar?

Other birds I am going to make effort to see this year (never seen before birds) are Marsh / Willow Tits, Peregrine Falcon, and Terns. I've identified some goods sites for seeing these particular species, can't wait to get out and about and start looking!

Cheers

Steve.

[thebeard]

there's still quite a few 'common' species that i'm yet to see that you've listed. i've got some targets for the summer, looking forward to seeing a range of warblers,only seen sedge, blackcap and chiffchaff in the UK. need to see a peregrine too, i know where there is one its just a case of getting there at the right time!

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Guinnessman1974

I wonder if I have passed off Whitethroats as Blackcaps as the calls are quite similar?

The song is very different a black cap has a much more complex running warble. Its good to learn these songs as you can quickly ID a bird without even seeing it.

[aeshna5]

I'm surprised you haven't seen Whitethroat especially when you've seen local species such as Dartford Warblers.

Whitethroats tend to make themselves obvious early in the season as the male performs a conspicuous display flight. The song is quite scratchy, not usually mellifluous like Blackcap. The contact calls are very different. Generally like low scrub such as brambles or nettle beds, low hedges, etc. Trying loooking from about mid April.

Lesser Whitethroats are scarcer but not uncommon. They are more secretive + prefer taller scrub than Whitethroats. The best way to find one is to learn the song- which is a short rattle.

Good luck this spring with these two. Whitethroats should be easy!

[AshLee]

Hi Guinnessman, I'll swap you for a Wood Warbler

[david156]

Originally Posted by AshLee

Hi Guinnessman, I'll swap you for a Wood Warbler

me too.

David

[Guinnessman1974]

Thanks all for the advice.

I caught a glimpse of a Dartford Warbler while on holiday in Dorset last year.

To be honest I think I have probably overlooked a Whitethroat, I just distinctly remember seeing all the other warblers listed, while I never actually remember seeing a Whitethroat! Makes sense? I have to admit the Wood Warbler is my favorite one - the brighter colours I do like

It is a similar situation with me and Gulls - I always remember seeing 'Herring', 'Black-Headed', Lesser Black-backed and 'Greater-Black Backed, but never a Common Gull. However, I now realise that I had seen a Common Gull!

[david156]

Originally Posted by Guinnessman1974

Thanks all for the advice.

I caught a glimpse of a Dartford Warbler while on holiday in Dorset last year.

To be honest I think I have probably overlooked a Whitethroat, I just distinctly remember seeing all the other warblers listed, while I never actually remember seeing a Whitethroat! Makes sense? I have to admit the Wood Warbler is my favorite one - the brighter colours I do like

Your making me jealous!

Originally Posted by Guinnessman1974

It is a similar situation with me and Gulls - I always remember seeing 'Herring', 'Black-Headed', Lesser Black-backed and 'Greater-Black Backed, but never a Common Gull. However, I now realise that I had seen a Common Gull!

I use to ignore gulls but have started to try harder identifying them. Once you start reading up on them and looking at id guides they do become a little easier.

David