A very plain warbler with no distinguishing features (a feature in itself!). It spends a lot of its time in the cover of trees and bushes and can be more difficult to see than its relative, the blackcap. Despite its name it is not really a garden bird, except in mature gardens next to woods. Its song is similar to that of a blackcap, but has longer mellow phrases.
Where does it live?
Breeding
Likes woodland with mainly deciduous species and an open canopy and plenty of open areas. Needs dense ground cover for nesting. On farmland it likes small copses and areas of hawthorn or blackthorn.
Where to see it
Deciduous and mixed woodland and woodland edges, with glades, rides and other open areas. Especially likes coppiced woodland. Sometimes in farmland hedgerows. It is commonest in England, Wales and S Scotland.
What does it eat?
Insects and berries
What does it sound like?
A sweet warbling song; call a hard 'tacc tacc'
When to see it
It starts to arrive in late April and May and leaves in mid-July. Migrants can be seen through August and September when Continental birds can be seen along the east and south coasts.
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