
Willow Warbler
The willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) is a very common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe and the Palearctic, from Ireland east to the Anadyr River basin in eastern Siberia.
Species insights
Recorded year-round
Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.
Curve from 292 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property and not from this province. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.
Limpopo and beyond
Provinces where Willow Warbler is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.
292 records, iNaturalist
Parks where hosts record the Willow Warbler
Stays that give back
Across KwaZulu-Natal
Montusi Mountain Lodge
Drakensberg, Bergville · From R 6,800 a night
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park · Price on request
Reliably seen · Birder friendly
Kingfisher Cove Umdloti
Umdloti, Ballito · From R 13,000 a night
The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa
Drakensberg, Bergville · From R 4,280 a night
Makongo Hills Lodge
Magudu · From R 1,280 a night

Birder friendly
Sasi Bush Lodge
Bergville · From R 5,400 a night
Duma Manzi Wilderness & Wellness Retreat
Richmond · From R 5,990 a night
Birder friendly
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park · Price on request
Sungubala Eco Camp
Drakensberg, Bergville · From R 1,140 a night
Drakensberg Vultures View
Cathkin Park · From R 1,691 a night
Birder friendly
Thonga Beach Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park · Price on request
Penwarn Farm
Underberg · From R 1,200 a night

Birder friendly
Berghouse & Cottages
Drakensberg, Bergville · From R 1,950 a night
Qambathi Mountain Lodge
Nottingham Road · From R 4,100 a night
&Beyond Phinda Zuka Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve · Price on request
3 Driftwood Ballito
Ballito · From R 3,995 a night
Birdsong Cottage
Howick · From R 795 a night
Birder friendly
&Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve · Price on request
Biweda Nguni Lodge
Mkuze · From R 1,840 a night

Birder friendly
Tandweni Villa
Mkuze · From R 14,000 a night
Birder friendly
&Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve · Price on request
Zululand Lodge
Hluhluwe · From R 3,280 a night
Birder friendly
Bonamanzi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe · From R 240 a night
Birder friendly
&Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve · Price on request
Rolling green hills, dairy farms, and pottery studios
See places that give backPlanning a trip
When and where to find the Willow Warbler
Hosts have recorded the Willow Warbler at stays in or beside iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Best hours of the day
- The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
- Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.
Species
Phylloscopus trochilus
Records
292
iNaturalist observations
Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.
Questions travellers ask
A record means a host has seen the Willow Warbler on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.
Which parks and reserves are best for the Willow Warbler in KwaZulu-Natal?
Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Willow Warbler at stays in or beside iSimangaliso Wetland Park. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Willow Warbler in South Africa?
The Willow Warbler is most recorded in Limpopo (24% of records), KwaZulu-Natal (18% of records), Gauteng (15% of records), based on 292 iNaturalist observations. 2 places to stay on Spekboom in KwaZulu-Natal have recorded the Willow Warbler on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Willow Warbler?
The Willow Warbler is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. iSimangaliso Wetland Park: year-round, dry season May-Sep. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Willow Warbler?
The willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) is a very common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe and the Palearctic, from Ireland east to the Anadyr River basin in eastern Siberia. It is strongly migratory, with almost all of the population wintering in Sub-Saharan Africa.
























