Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff? (1 Viewer)

MottTheHoopoe

Dave

• Nov 23, 2017

• #1

Just snapped this in my garden in Somerset. Assumed it was a Willow Warbler but on reviewing the pics, there are a few features that look a bit more Chiffchaff-ish to me - blacker legs, dumpier shape, more rounded head, pale eyestripe and more distinct eye ring. It didn't make any noise unfortunately which would have been the clincher one way or the other. Are there likely to be any Chiffchaffs in the UK atm due to the unusually warm November weather?

 

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Dawsy

Well-known member

• Nov 23, 2017

• #2

I can't comment on ID from that angle beyond the dark legs favouring chiffchaff but chiffchaff is hugely more likely in the UK than willow warbler at this time of year. Chiffchaffs are reasonably common overwintering in southwest England.

Michael

 

Andrew Whitehouse

Professor of Listening

Supporter

• Nov 23, 2017

• #3

Looks better for Chiffchaff too.

 

MottTheHoopoe

Dave

• Nov 23, 2017

• #4

Dawsy said:

I can't comment on ID from that angle beyond the dark legs favouring chiffchaff but chiffchaff is hugely more likely in the UK than willow warbler at this time of year. Chiffchaffs are reasonably common overwintering in southwest England.

Michael

Click to expand...

Thanks Michael. I do have other angles, does this one help?

 

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NAB

Well-known member

• Nov 23, 2017

• #5

Chiffchaff - short primary projection when compared to tertial length

 

Jonno52

John (a bad birdwatcher)

Supporter

• Nov 23, 2017

• #6

Yes, Chiffchaff for me too, on the basis of short primary projection (as well as leg colour). I do find pp length tricky to assess on some individuals, but here it looks decidedly short.

 

MottTheHoopoe

Dave

• Nov 23, 2017

• #7

Thanks guys. By the time I'd listed the features that made me think it might be a Chiffchaff, I'd pretty much convinced myself that's what it was anyway.