Chiffchaff / Willow Warbler comparison.
17th April 2012
Alongside one of our local reservoirs there is a small copse of Hawthorn and Hazel, just a few small bushes, quite close to the roadside. Nothing there to attract birds you would think and everybody basically ignores this area. There is, however, a little trickle of water which runs there all year round, it makes its way down from the opposite hill side, flows under the road and meanders through this little copse. The birds love this little oasis, they come there to drink and bathe and always land in the bushes first before dropping down to the water. If you are patient and quiet some nice shots can be taken.
I waited early one morning this week, tucked in under the Hazel hedge, it's best to be there early because the light is on the right side. I managed to get some close ups of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff which were my targets, I was looking at the images on the camera screen when I heard a small ' Wheet, Wheet ', I thought 'that's a Redstart ', I waited, and about five minutes later a first winter bird flew into the Hawthorn. He is not yet in full breeding plumage but is still a handsome bird. I was delighted, it's one of my favourite spring migrants.
For ID purposes;
With the Willow Warbler you can see there are lighter legs, a lighter coloured and blunter bill, a more prominant, yellow / white supercillium and a general lighter appearance to the breast and belly.
With the Chiffchaff you can see the dark legs, a much darker and pointy bill, a more buffy coloured breast, a small pale, indistinct supercillium, a darkish eye stripe that cuts through its white eye ring breaking it up at the front and rear. These are really the basic features I look for, but also one of my best ways of separating these birds, apart from the song is, the Chiffchaff flicks its tail down regularly, the Willow Warbler does not.
Please see UK birds.
I waited early one morning this week, tucked in under the Hazel hedge, it's best to be there early because the light is on the right side. I managed to get some close ups of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff which were my targets, I was looking at the images on the camera screen when I heard a small ' Wheet, Wheet ', I thought 'that's a Redstart ', I waited, and about five minutes later a first winter bird flew into the Hawthorn. He is not yet in full breeding plumage but is still a handsome bird. I was delighted, it's one of my favourite spring migrants.
For ID purposes;
With the Willow Warbler you can see there are lighter legs, a lighter coloured and blunter bill, a more prominant, yellow / white supercillium and a general lighter appearance to the breast and belly.
With the Chiffchaff you can see the dark legs, a much darker and pointy bill, a more buffy coloured breast, a small pale, indistinct supercillium, a darkish eye stripe that cuts through its white eye ring breaking it up at the front and rear. These are really the basic features I look for, but also one of my best ways of separating these birds, apart from the song is, the Chiffchaff flicks its tail down regularly, the Willow Warbler does not.
Please see UK birds.