The RSPB: Reed warbler

Conservation status: Green

The reed warbler is a plain unstreaked warbler. It is warm brown above and buff coloured underneath. It is a summer visitor to breed in the UK, with the largest concentrations in East Anglia and along the south coast - there are relatively few breeding in Scotland and Ireland. It winters in Africa.

Overview

Latin name

Acrocephalus scirpaceus

Family

Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)

Where to see them

In the summer, can be looked for in reedbeds in lowland central and southern England and Wales - it is rarer elsewhere. Sings from within the reedbed rather than from a perch, so often heard rather than seen.

When to see them

Mid-April to early October.

What they eat

Insects; berries in autumn

Population

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	60,800-122,000 pairs	-	-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.