A hattrick of warblers at Seaton Wetlands

The distinctive warbling calls of some elusive summer visitors are delighting the air at our wetland reserve. You will be sure to hear the calls of the three species of warblers we have residing at Seaton Wetlands during the summer months and with patience and a keen eye, you may be lucky enough to see one flitting through the reeds.

Who can you hear?

The sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus has a very pronounced pale supercilium and streaky upper-parts. Their call is similar to a reed warbler, however, has more scratchy tones to it's notes. Arriving in April to their breeding grounds in the UK where they favour wetlands and marshy habitats.

The reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus has less distinctive features, making it harder to ID visually but has a beautiful rhythmic song. The reed warbler can have two broods, laying two clutches of eggs during late spring and midsummer. Did you know that it is also a common host species of the Cuckoo?

The cetti's warbler, Cettia cetti has the loudest song out of all of the Seaton Wetlands warblers. This small brown bird sings a very distinctive tune amongst our reedbeds and willow; and their numbers have risen since their first recorded breeding population in the 1970's.

Have you heard the trio of warblers on your visit to our nature reserve?