Sedge Warbler.

Status

Widespread summer visitor to wetlands from April to September throughout Ireland.

 

Identification

A typical small warbler, about the same size as a Robin. Ages and sexes are similar in appearance. A buffy-brown colour all over, paler on the underparts. The crown is black, with a broad beige supercilium extending to the nape. Has some faint dark streaking on the back. Juvenile birds may have some dark spotting on the breast, but do not differ otherwise from adults.

 

Voice

The main call is a quiet “tschick”. The song is a loud, excited mix of various phrases and which may include some mimicry of other bird songs.

 

Diet

Feeds almost exclusively on insects and other invertebrates.

 

Breeding

Sedge Warblers breed on the edge of wetlands, especially in areas of wet grassland. Tends to avoid extensive areas of reedbeds. Migrants (especially in spring) can occasionally turn up in atypical habitat such as woodland or suburban gardens and may sing for a short while.

 

Wintering

Sedge Warblers winter in western and southern Africa

Done