Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Ceolaire coille
Status All Ireland: Breeding
Population estimate all Ireland: < 10 pairs
Trend (12 years): Decline
Trend (40 years): Decline
Survey timing: May to June
Habitat: Woodland
Occurrence: Almost all records of breeding occur in County Wicklow. Sporadic breeding has occurred in Northern Ireland.
Habitat preference (simple description of preferred nesting habitat): Oak woods or mixed woodland with a good element of oak and ideally with at least a sparse shrub layer, typically of birch or young oak or beech. Nests at ground level so needs a good field layer, particularly of wood rush and tussocky grasses and moss (Wood Warblers usually absent if ground is heavily grazed).
Preferred ways to establish breeding status: Locating the presence of a male holding territory is relatively easy as they sing persistently all day long, even when they have a mate. As Ireland is at the edge of the species’ range, males often sing for several weeks but never attract a mate and therefore breeding will not occur. A knowledge of the distinctive song is essential. Wood Warblers sing from high in the oak canopy, moving from branch to branch, but they will often come low to sing on birch or oak saplings at eye level. The single-note call (a soft “teoo”), is very useful as it is often a sign that the birds have a nest nearby. Patient watching at a safe distance to see if the birds are carrying food will establish proof of breeding.
