Great Read Warbler

Parque Natural El Hondo — 24 May 2026
Arriving shortly after sunrise, we were amazed by the intensity of the dawn chorus, especially the number of Great Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) singing from the top of the reeds. Photographed in the magical golden light of the rising sun, these birds were a true highlight of the morning.
The Great Reed Warbler is the largest warbler in Europe, measuring around 16–21 cm in length. It is famous for its loud, harsh, and powerful song — a rattling, croaking performance that carries far across wetlands and reed beds.
This species lives mainly in dense reed beds around lakes, marshes, rivers, and wetlands, where it nests suspended between reed stems above the water like a woven hanging basket. Their diet consists mainly of insects and spiders, although they will also take tiny fish and amphibians.
Great Reed Warblers breed across much of Europe and western Asia before migrating to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter. Males are highly territorial and often sing prominently from reed tops to attract mates and defend their territory.
Although not brightly coloured, they are beautiful birds with warm brown upperparts, pale underparts, and a strong pointed bill. More often heard than seen, they usually remain hidden deep within the reeds — but on this visit, several were seen sitting high on top of the reeds singing loudly in the morning sun, the true voice of the wetlands.

Видео Great Read Warbler канала John Thompson