News: Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat along Roman Road

Friday 24th April 2020

The first Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat in the Abingtons this year were both heard along the Roman Road today by Andy M. There were numerous Common Whitethroat, at least 15-20, singing their scratchy song from prominent perches all the way along, and four Lesser Whitethroat, less frequently seen and singing their repeated notes from deeper inside the hedgerows. 

Whilst having very different songs, the two species are quite similar in appearance - both having distinctive white throats - but the Common Whitethroat has rufous-chestnut wings, a light grey head and slightly pinkish flanks, whereas the Lesser Whitethroat has duller earth-brown wings, a dull grey head with a darker-grey 'mask' around the eyes, and pale brown flanks.

Also of note along the Roman Road were two Wheatear - a passage migrant to this area - and singing Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Linnet and Willow Warbler, as well as two Swallow near Worsted Lodge.

Andy M went back to the Roman Road on Sunday (26th) and took these photos:

Common Whitethroat

Light grey head and ear covert, white eye-ring, chestnut-brown wings,
pinky-buff flanks, pale legs, stout bill

Common Whitethroat
note the white eye-ring, pink-tinge to the upper breast and flank, and stout bill

 Lesser Whitethroat

Dull grey head, darker ear-coverts, no eye-ring, grey-brown wings,
pale flanks, dark legs, and shorter finer bill

Lesser Whitethroat
Showing more clearly the grey-brown back and wings, dark grey ear covert and pale flanks.