Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilus
Overview
The Willow Warbler is one of the most numerous and widespread birds on the Sefton Coast. The song is one of the most beautiful of any British bird — a gentle, descending cascade of clear notes that fills the dune scrub from April to August. Plain olive-green above with a yellow wash on the face and underparts and a pale supercilium, it's indistinguishable from Chiffchaff by sight alone. The dune scrub at Ainsdale and Formby must hold hundreds of breeding pairs.
At a Glance
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Phylloscopidae |
| Habitat | Dune scrub · Birch and willow scrub · Woodland edge · Gorse heath |
| Diet | Insects and larvae — gleans from leaves throughout the canopy |
| UK population | Around 2.4 million pairs; amber-listed despite remaining very common |
| Sefton Coast | Very common breeding species in dune scrub throughout the Sefton Coast; one of the most numerous breeding birds |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Any scrubby habitat at Ainsdale and Formby — the most abundant warbler on the Sefton Coast.
Identification
Small warbler. Olive-green above, pale yellow-white below, pale yellow supercilium. Very similar to Chiffchaff — pale legs (dark on Chiffchaff) and song. Beautiful, descending melodic cascade. Does not dip tail (Chiffchaff does).
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk any scrub at Ainsdale in May — the Willow Warbler song fills the air. Learn the song and you'll identify 90% of the small warblers you encounter.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Willow Warbler amber-listed when it's so common?
Willow Warbler is amber-listed due to significant declines in southern England, where numbers have dropped by around 60% since the 1970s. In northern England and Scotland, populations remain high. The declines in the south are linked to changes in scrub habitats and possibly to conditions in their African wintering grounds. The Sefton Coast population appears robust.
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.