Reed Warbler

The Reed Warbler is a slim bird without streaks, with warm brown feathers on its back and pale buff feathers underneath. It is best recognised by where it lives and its unique song. Adult birds have a faint pale line above their eyes and a relatively long bill. Their song is a repeated, churring warble that comes from deep within reedbeds and often includes imitations of other birds. This bird visits England and Wales in the summer, arriving between April and May. It is closely linked to tall reedbeds in low-lying areas, especially near rivers, lakes, and gravel pits. The Reed Warbler builds a deep cup-shaped nest that hangs between reed stems over water. The Reed Warbler is often targeted by Cuckoos, which lay their eggs in the warbler’s nest for the warbler to raise. In the winter, the Reed Warbler migrates to sub-Saharan Africa.