In search of the elusive willow warbler

As Boom and I walk the paths and lanes deep in Iceni territory, we see and hear the regular inhabitants of the trees and hedgerow: robin, dunnock, songthrush, blackbird, wren, chaffinch, blackcap and chiff chaff. Goldfinches hustle about in their chattering groups. Overhead, swallows duck and dive and gulls soar. But as April moves into May and June is on the horizon, where are the willow warblers?

They should be easy to see or hear. After all, if you refer to your handy field guide to British birds, it will tell you that there are approximately one million pairs out there. A summer migrant and a later arrival than the 'chiffies', they are extremely elusive, especially now the trees are in full leaf and a diminutive shy warbler can stay well hidden.

Picking a willow warbler's call or warble is not easy, especially if you have a cloth ear like me. The 'hoo-eet' call apparently has two syllables, but to me is hard to separate from that of a chiff chaff or even a chaffinch. The tuneful decending trill of the warble, would probably be easier if you heard it often enough, but apparently they are more likely to sing later in the season.

As the weeks roll by and spring approaches summer, I'm resorting to pausing at a likely spot along the way and listening with the Merlin bird app. Even the technology seems to struggle. Presented with a likely call, it either goes with a suggestion of chiff chaff or just bales out, even though I (and it) can clearly hear a voice amongst the leaves.

Finally, a breakthrough. Strolling along a lane in the Cambridgeshire borderland, my phone suggests the magic name. I crane my neck upwards scanning the verdant green canopy. Finally, some movement betrays its presence and a small bird jiffles amongst the branches, pausing briefly in full view. Brown above, lighter below, longer tail and primaries. I get a glimpse of the eye stripe. I think we can confirm that as a willow warbler sighting. As quickly as it appeared, it darts away across the lane.

Back in North Norfolk, surely having seen one, like the proverbial buses a second will come along? Nothing as yet. But then as I always reflect, spending your life attached to a lively terrier is not the optimum pracice to assist your birding. But we can keep looking and listening. My phone has just suggested it can hear a redstart. What are the chances of a sighting?