SBJ! (1 Viewer)

[Granny L]

Hello. I live in North West Wales. Lately I have been hearing a bird that has a very repetitive song. About 8 chirps, then a pause, then another 8 chirps, etc. I was wondering what it was. Today my husband said he saw the bird. It is slightly larger than a wren, has a pointed beak and is beige coloured. He said in flight the tail had a pronounced fork. Anyone know what that is?

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Granny,
welcome to Birdforum!

Maybe a Reed Bunting is a good starting point?

Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus – Birds in Flight – ID guide

But I hope you or your husband can get a picture or a recording?

 

[RichieTwitchy]

Could it be a Pied Wagtail?

Recording of the bird with a similar chirp pattern and an image below of a juvenile.

XC808862 White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

SNR 57dB (ISO/ITU)

xeno-canto.org

 

[Richard Prior]

Have a listen to Chiffchaff song recordings.

 

[Granny L]

Hello Granny,
welcome to Birdforum!

Maybe a Reed Bunting is a good starting point?

Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus – Birds in Flight – ID guide

But I hope you or your husband can get a picture or a recording?

Thanks, but that's not the right song. Richard Prior is right with his Chiffchaff. That is the sound, and my husband says it did look like the picture of the chiffchaff.

 

[Granny L]

Could it be a Pied Wagtail?

Recording of the bird with a similar chirp pattern and an image below of a juvenile.

XC808862 White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

SNR 57dB (ISO/ITU)

xeno-canto.org

Thanks but it's definitely not a Pied Wagtail. This is one bird I do know! Richard Prior suggested a chiffchaff and that one fits the bill!

 

[RichieTwitchy]

Thanks but it's definitely not a Pied Wagtail. This is one bird I do know! Richard Prior suggested a chiffchaff and that one fits the bill!

No problem - glad you found the bird.

 

[Granny L]

Have a listen to Chiffchaff song recordings.

Thanks Richard. You're spot on. The sound is right and my husband says the picture looks like what he saw. Thanks again.

Halfway up an Alp??

 

[Richard Prior]

Thanks Richard. You're spot on. The sound is right and my husband says the picture looks like what he saw. Thanks again.

Halfway up an Alp??

That’s how my dear departed Mum described where we live to her friends (we are halfway up a valley in the Alps at 1000m (or 3300feet)so she was sort of correct!).