Common Whitethroat
Curruca communis
Overview
The Whitethroat is the most abundant warbler of the Sefton Coast dune scrub. Males are handsome with a grey head, white throat, chestnut wings and pinkish breast. They perform a characteristic scratchy, dancing song flight from the top of Gorse and Bramble — rising briefly, singing, then dropping back into cover. The male's song is a rapid, scratchy warble delivered with obvious enthusiasm. A crash in the UK population in 1969 (due to Sahel drought on the wintering grounds) is one of the early examples of climate affecting bird populations.
At a Glance
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sylviidae |
| Habitat | Gorse scrub · Bramble · Hedgerow · Dune scrub edge |
| Diet | Insects in summer; berries in late summer |
| UK population | Around 1.1 million pairs; green-listed; recovering after 1969 population crash |
| Sefton Coast | Common breeding species in dune scrub throughout the Sefton Coast |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Gorse and bramble scrub at Ainsdale and Formby. Also coastal hedgerows. Males sing from exposed perches.
Identification
Medium warbler. Male: grey cap, white throat, chestnut-brown wings, pink-washed breast, rufous edges to wing feathers. Female: brown cap. Short song flight above cover. Scratchy warble.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk Gorse scrub at Ainsdale in May. Male Whitethroats sing persistently and perform their dancing song-flight repeatedly. The white throat and chestnut wings are distinctive.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species is on the UK Green List, indicating a healthy population status in the UK context. It remains an important component of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Whitethroat population crash in 1969?
In spring 1969, Whitethroats returned to Britain in drastically reduced numbers — a 77% population decline overnight. Investigation revealed a catastrophic drought in the Sahel region of West Africa (where Whitethroats winter), which had caused mass mortality on the wintering grounds. This was one of the first documented cases of African conditions directly impacting UK bird breeding populations — an early warning of the interconnected nature of migratory bird populations.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.