Status and distribution Main breeding range is from eastern Germany, the Czech Republic and eastern Austria south-east to Bulgaria and east to the foothills of the Urals, the Caspian and Caucasus. Also breeds in scattered pockets in southern Sweden (mainly coastal areas and Oland and Gotland), and the south coast of Finland, in southern Switzerland and northern Italy, throughout the Balkans and possibly also Turkey. Probably now extinct as a breeding species in Denmark.

Leaves breeding areas in Aug-Sep to winter in East Africa, travelling via the eastern Mediterranean. Return movement takes place in mid-late May. Passage birds occur throughout east & South-East Europe and the Middle East and occurs as a rare migrant as far west as Britain. 100-150, mainly 1st-winter birds, occur per year in Britain chiefly in the Northern Is, on the east & south coasts and on Scilly. Most occur Aug-Oct, very rare in spring.

Vagrant to Iceland, France, Belgium, Spain and Malta.

Habitat Open deciduous and mixed forest and woodland, plantations and shelterbelts, parks and large gardens. Also on bushy hillsides and in riverine scrub, hedgerows and in grassland with scattered trees and shrubs.