Whitethroat
Sylvia communis
Length 14cm

Locally common summer visitor to many parts of mainland Britain and Ireland, present from May to September. A characteristic bird of scrub, overgrown hedgerows and heaths, usually especially numerous and noticeable on sunny gorse- and bramble-covered coastal cliffs. Male often perches on exposed perch revealing white throat, blue-grey crown, rufous back and wings, and pale underparts with buffish tone on breast. Female drabber. Scratchy song often delivered in dancing song flight. Alarm call a harsh chek. Numbers recovering following decline in 1960s due to drought in African wintering quarters.