A very plain warbler with no distinguishing features. It spends a lot of its time in the cover of trees and bushes and can be more difficult to see than its relative, the Blackcap. Its song is similar to that of a Blackcap, but has longer mellow phrases.

Not a garden bird as its name might suggest but prefers deciduous and mixed woodland and woodland edges, with glades, rides and other open areas. Especially likes coppiced woodland. Sometimes in farmland hedgerows.

It starts to arrive in late April and May and leaves in mid-July. Migrants can be seen through August and September when Continental birds can be seen along the east and south coasts.

Feeds on insects and berries.

It is commonest in England, Wales and southern Scotland.

A fairly common migrant breeder in Leicestershire and Rutland.