The garden warbler is a medium-sized warbler of woodland and tall scrub -habitats it shares with the similar blackcap. Garden warblers are summer visitors, arriving in April and leaving in July, although Continental birds can be seen on migration around the east and south coasts until September. They eat insects during the breeding season, but fuel-up on berries and fruit during migration. Garden warblers breed in low trees and shrubs, building their nest from grasses and lining it with fur.
How to identify
The garden warbler is a plain, sandy-grey warbler, with a pale grey neck and pale underparts.
Did you know?
Garden warblers are shy birds, skulking around in shrubs and bushes. If you can't get a good view, listen out for their song instead - it's similar to the blackcap's, but more mellow and longer.
