Subalpine Warbler

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Mediterranean scrub, garrigue.
Diet: Small insects.
Best time to spot: Skulks in thorny bushes.

When to look

Scarce or local in the UK. Timing varies by region, so check recent sightings before you travel. Numbers peak in May. See the May birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

Taller bars mean more birds about. Grey means it is usually absent.

How rare is it?

The Subalpine Warbler sits in our Rare tier for the UK: scarce or very local, so most birders need a planned trip. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Spectacled WarblerLegendary · Mediterranean scrub (very rare)
• Barred WarblerRare · Coastal scrub (scarce)
• Asian Desert WarblerLegendary · Coastal scrub
• Common WhitethroatCommon · Hedges
• Eastern Orphean WarblerLegendary · Scrub (extreme vagrant)
• Lesser WhitethroatUncommon · Hedges

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