Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naevia
Length 13cm

Widespread but local summer visitor to Britain and Ireland from May to August. Insect-like, almost mechanical song delivered mainly at dawn and dusk and heard far more often than bird itself seen. Olive-brown, streaked plumage and skulking habits combine to make bird difficult to see among favoured habitat, usually scrubby grassland often with abundant rushes. Occasionally sings in open.