Getting to grips with warblers 4: Whitethroat Vs Lesser Whitethroat

In the fourth of our series of videos aimed at helping with the tricky task of identifying warblers, we take a look at Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat. BirdTrack reports show that May is a good time to catch up with them. So it's a good time to brush up on the songs and ID features of these two common species. Check out the video, and don't forget, once you've mastered the art of identifying them, log your sightings on BirdTrack www.birdtrack.net.

[@davidwright2498]

Two Lesser Whitethroats arrived in my garden last Autumn and gave great views for around a month. I've lived here over 20 years and never had them before. Last night I was delighted to hear them again, and this morning I've seen them.

[@spiffcorgi]

Not been able to add a Lesser Whitethroat to my list this year unfortunately, but seen a lot of Common Whitethroats. Something a Birdwatching Mag contributor pointed out that I can't unhear now is how Whitethroats finish their song with what sounds uncannily like "oh and another thing".

[@dukedex5043]

One thing I noticed was the white throat of the Lesser reaches under the eyeball, but in Common Whitethroat it's a couple of mm away from reaching it.

[@Yawnyaman]

Whitethroats are super abundant on my local patch, but seeing a lesser whitethroat is always a treat. Smarter, neater, finer, usually higher up from the ground.

[@jasondickson8712]

Useful guide. We get a lot of Whitethroats near Evesham. They were superabundant here a few years ago.

[@Yawnyaman]

My local common was totally alive with them this summer, maybe three dozen pairs.

[@markharris5771]

Does Su Gough write all her own scripts? Or is it a collaboration? They really are excellent and explain the differences in appearance and sounds extremely well, and I certainly feel more confident with both species now.

[@santallum]

I find the best way to tell them apart with real certainty is by the colour of the legs .. at least until you know both birds well ... as you can see from the clip

[@BTOvideo]

Hi Ade. I agree that this is a good way to tell them apart - pinkish brown for Whitethroat, vlack for Lesser Whitethroat, but unfortunately the legs are often not visible in the field!

[@santallum]

I had the good fortune of seeing both species side by side last week ... not bad going for central Cardiff ! .. when you see them together, the difference is striking ! .. I saw a magpie yesterday with a GREY head .. I am guessing old age or lice ? .. any ideas ? .. I did get a couple of photos but they are not the best