From Opus

Photo by digimies

Locustella fluviatilis

Identification

• Grey brown above
• White grey below
• Dark undertail with white tips
• Juveniles have more yellow underparts

Distribution

Breeds from central Germany east to the Urals and north-central Russia, ranges north to southern Finland and south to the Black Sea. Range has expanded westwards during the second half of the 20th century and has bred in Denmark and Sweden. Also spreading southwards and now breeds widely in Bulgaria. Winters mainly in the eastern half of southern Africa, leaving from the end of July-August with bulk of the population passing through southeast Europe in late August-mid September. Returns to breeding areas in May.

Vagrants recorded north to Svalbard and Iceland, Britain, France and Belgium, Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland, Italy, Egypt and Kuwait, Malta, Madeira and northwest Africa. British records (c.30) were formerly mostly in autumn and often on Shetland but in recent years there has been an increase in mainland records in spring and summer which have included singing males. With the expansion of range in northern Europe this suggests a breeding attempt may well occur in the near future. Has probably attempted breeding in Belgium in recent years.

Taxonomy

Monotypic.

Habitat

Densely wooded swamps and thick scrub along rivers, streams and canals, sometimes in parks and damp orchards.

Behaviour

The diet includes insects.

It nests in a tussock or on the ground; 5-7 eggs are laid.

Vocalisation

References

Wikipedia

External Links