Last summer I had far too many “Is it? Isn’t it?” moments with scratchy-sounding birds hidden in the depths of bushes.

This time I took advantage of news that a Lesser Whitethroat had set up a few hundred yards from home and checked out what they’re supposed to sound like before leaving home!

Turns out it’s easy-peasy and in next to no time I was listening to this:

Jumbled in amongst Common Whitethroat, Blackbird, Wren, Willow Warbler, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Pheasant, Black-headed Gull and morning rush hour, of course! There’s a definite similarity between a Lesser Throat rattle and a lazy Chaffinch once you get trucks involved.

It took a little bit longer to get a photograph - my camera sure loves to focus on nearby twigs! (If it has a genuinely ‘point’ focus target I’ve yet to find it…)

Not the pictures I wanted, but dark eyes, bill and legs at least!