Blyth’s Reed Warbler

🔍 Overview

A very rare vagrant to Sussex and the UK, mostly detected by its subtle differences from other reed warblers and increasingly found in autumn on the east and south coast.

🪶 Key Identification Features

Uniform grey-brown upperparts, slightly colder than Reed Warbler

Short primary projection

Rounded tail, faint supercilium

🗺️ Habitat & Distribution

Most likely in coastal scrub, only spotted at Brighton Royal Pavilion in our recording area in the last 25 Years. Identification usually confirmed by call or trapped birds.

🎶 Voice & Behaviour

Soft “check” call. Sings a mimicking, warbling song in breeding range but usually silent in the UK. Skulking, moves methodically through low vegetation.