Willow warbler, (Phylloscopus trochilus, Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Sylviidae, (Warblers)
Length: 11cm, Wingspan: 17 to 22cm, Weight: 6 to 10g. lifespan up to 5 years.
The Willow Warbler is a common migrant in Southern Europe. Breeds in most places from mid-France and central Europe, excluding Iceland. Numbers over recent years has decreased up to 70% in central and northern Europe. It is one of the first warblers to be seen migrating in the spring. Most of the population overwinter in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nesting: A small domed nest is structured mainly from various grasses and moss, close to the ground in thick vegetation, (such as bracken and bramble bushes). 6 to 7 eggs are laid between the months of April till May. 1 brood a year.
Like most other warblers it is mainly a solitary bird, except when feeding young or when on migration. It will be seen in small groups, while feeding in trees with other warblers.
Feeding: Constantly searching in foliage, for insects and spiders. May also be seen catching flying insects in the air.
Habitat: Preferring young light woodlands, especially with birch, alder and willow growing in damp conditions, with many thicket forming shrubs like blackthorn providing a habitat with plenty of cover. Will only occasionally be seen visiting gardens.
Images below show the juvenile.