Willow Warbler Confirmation Please, Co. Armagh, N Ireland (1 Viewer)

Hi Again

Being home in Co, Armagh, N Ireland for a few days I'm spending most of my time taking pictures of our garden birds. Lovely variety this August, including Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, 1 million House Sparrows, Collared Dove, lots of Juveniles etc. Really lovely time.

Anyway, among all the usual suspects, yesterday something more unusual (for our garden anyway) decided to pay a fleeting visit, and I managed to get a few snaps off, though I sadly missed a close-up opportunity as I was panicking with focusing the camera (nothing new there when I see something unusual!).

I've narrowed it down to a warbler of some sort, my gut feeling is Willow Warbler, but potentially a Chiffchaff. I ruled out Wood Warbler as I don't think there are many in N Ireland and it was a little smaller than say a Great Tit for example, which possibly rules out Garden Warbler too.

So, is it a Willow Warbler?

Thanks in advance for any advice

seems to have a lot of white for a willow

Not a Chiff-Chaff anyway..

Have no exp. of Wood Warbler..

//Ben

It's a Willow Warbler.

Andrew Whitehouse said:

It's a Willow Warbler.

Click to expand...

Seconded.

Nice long primary projection, paleish legs (though there is overlap on this feature), facial pattern etc...Willow Warbler for me also.

Many thanks for the confirmation everyone, and for the quick responses I'm really pleased to see something different while I'm at home.

Nice juvenile Willow Warbler in bright light - well caught. They don't stay in one place for long and when they do it's usually behind cover of some sort.

Great info Graham. I watched him preen for a little while in a fir tree (the cover you mentioned), then finally he landed on our gate for just 10-15 seconds at most. I was lucky to get anything at all I leave for London again today so this afternoon is my last shot at the local Irish birds, let's hope mummy and daddy decide to make an appearance I won't hold my breath though lol.