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Willow Warbler
jmorlan

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

This is one of three immature Willow Warblers that appeared on our cruise ship in the North Sea on our way from Scotland to Amsterdam. This one was the brightest with yellow color extending to the belly. Identification as Willow Warbler is confirmed by its long primary projection with only three outer primaries (p6-p8) emarginate. The birds were not present the previous day when there was dense fog. I first noted them in the morning of 4 August when the fog cleared leaving overcast skies and almost no wind. By the end of the day they were gone. I believe they all arrived on the ship, possibly attracted by lights at night. They were feasting on Silver Y moths (Autographa gamma) which also arrived on the ship the same morning presumably on some migration transit.
Location
North Sea (53.9506,1.6653), East Riding of Yorkshire County, England, UK.
Date taken
04 August 2018
Scientific name
Phylloscopus trochilus
Equipment used
Nikon P510 CoolPix
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
Crikey!!! That's a wonderful picture you've taken of this wee juvie Joe.

It's no' fair though.... I rarely ever get to see a WW close enough for a picture and have never seen a youngster either. It looks like they start their migration pretty soon after fledging, doesn't it.

We don't have a juvenile in The Opus, so perhaps you'd like to upload it to the article lad.

Many thanks.
 
A nicely posed portrait of this youngster, Joseph.
 

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Category
Britain & Europe
Added by
jmorlan
Date added
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48
Comment count
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