Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Overview
Wood warblers have the best song in the Lakes. That spinning coin, then the trill. Borrowdale, Haweswater. Oak woodland. May. They're high in the canopy. Listen first.
At a Glance
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Phylloscopidae |
| Habitat | Oak woodland · Beech woodland · Mature woodland |
| Diet | Insects. Feeds in the canopy. |
| UK population | Around 6,000 breeding pairs. Declining. Amber list. |
| Lake District | Borrowdale and Haweswater hold good numbers. Oak woodland. That song carries. Spinning coin then a descending trill. |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Oak and beech woodland. Borrowdale, RSPB Haweswater, Grizedale. The spinning coin song is unmistakable.
Identification
Yellow breast, green back, yellow supercilium. Larger than chiffchaff. That song is the key.
Viewing & Photography Tips
May and June. Oak woodland. Listen for the spinning coin song. They're hard to see in the canopy.
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.
Plan your visit to the Lake District
RSPB Haweswater, Grizedale Forest, Leighton Moss. Practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.