?willow warbler, Outer Hebrides (1 Viewer)

marnixR

WYSIWYG

• Jul 3, 2019

• #1

i suspect that the attached is a young willow warbler, but being a juvenile i can't be sure - can anyone confirm or correct ?

pictures taken less than a month ago in the Lews Castle grounds near Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis

 

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Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Jul 3, 2019

• #2

Was it calling monosyllabic 'hweet' or disyllabic 'hoo-eeet'?

 

marnixR

WYSIWYG

• Jul 3, 2019

• #3

not totally sure, but on reflection i'd say a monosyllabic 'hweet'

 

CARERY

Well-known member

• Jul 3, 2019

• #4

Looks more like a Chiffchaff to me. Juvenile WW usually show a completely yellow underside

 

D

davercox

Dave Cox

Supporter

• Jul 3, 2019

• #5

Agree with Roland; and that would also fit the monosyllabic call.

 

marnixR

WYSIWYG

• Jul 3, 2019

• #6

thanks all - i have trouble differentiating between willow warbler and chiffchaff at the best of times, never mind if they're juveniles :-C

 

Mark Lew1s

My real name is Mark Lewis

• Jul 3, 2019

• #7

It’s probably worth mentioning that breeding chiffchaff would be quite notable on the outer hebs, whereas willow warblers breed regularly. I find these juv phylloscs very hard but I don’t think the lack of yellow underparts excludes willow, as this is more a 1st winter thing - juvs can show greyish white underparts (assuming that the pics on the internet are labelled correctly!)

 

G

Grahame Walbridge

Well-known member

• Jul 3, 2019

• #8

Fat Paul Scholes said:

It’s probably worth mentioning that breeding chiffchaff would be quite notable on the outer hebs, whereas willow warblers breed regularly. I find these juv phylloscs very hard but I don’t think the lack of yellow underparts excludes willow, as this is more a 1st winter thing - juvs can show greyish white underparts (assuming that the pics on the internet are labelled correctly!)

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These birds are still juvenile and have yet to undergo a complete body-moult as part of their post-juvenile moult when, Willow Warblers attain their distinctive yellow underparts. Looking at the bare parts I'd suggest they are on balance more likely Willow Warblers.

Grahame

 

marnixR

WYSIWYG

• Jul 3, 2019

• #9

as i've explained my recollection of the tweet may be wrong

 

CARERY

Well-known member

• Jul 3, 2019

• #10

Given the breeding status there and taking Grahame's remarks into account, I agree with Willow Warbler.

 

marnixR

WYSIWYG

• Jul 3, 2019

• #11

thanks for the comments - i’ll try to keep them in mind next time I see a juvenile Phylloscopus

 

D

davercox

Dave Cox

Supporter

• Jul 4, 2019

• #12

Fat Paul Scholes said:

It’s probably worth mentioning that breeding chiffchaff would be quite notable on the outer hebs, whereas willow warblers breed regularly.

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Yes, that crossed my mind too. Now, with the points about moult being explained, I agree with Willow too.