Warbler, Nouakchott, Mauritania (1 Viewer)

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BirdingRob

Brit abroad

• Sep 9, 2017

• #1

Dear all,

Just another willow warbler?

I am trying hard to find iberian chiffchaff with no success

All help gratefully received.

Rob

 

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Last edited: Sep 9, 2017

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BirdingRob

Brit abroad

• Sep 9, 2017

• #2

some feedback off forum has been positive about underpart colours and wing length but especially bill colour. The latter is a feature I hadn't considered.

R

 

Motmot

Eduardo Amengual

• Sep 9, 2017

• #3

I see a Willow allright. Breast tinged olive, long well-defined brows, very long looking pp projection, elongated shape, it all looks very Willow to me.

 

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Simon Wates

Well-known member

• Sep 9, 2017

• #4

Willow for me too - in views like this I think an Iberian Chiffchaff would stand out for you.

Maybe they haven't reached you yet? Maybe they have a bit of a stopover in evergreen oak woodland in Morocco? Still birds here too.

I know Ib Chiffs have been rung south of Mauritania - what are the earliest trapping dates...anyone?

 

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BirdingRob

Brit abroad

• Sep 9, 2017

• #5

According to birdlife, there are over 1 million iberian chiffchaff and unless they take a very indirect route they must pass through Mauritania to get to their wintering grounds which are in Senegal or western Mali. By odds I should see at least as many Iberian chiffchaff as willow warbler where I am. Only two things can be happening. Either the birds fly over Mauritania every year (unlikely) or Iberian chiffchaff are being over looked as willow warbler. Its a zero sum game! Here is another picture of the same bird.

 

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Simon Wates

Well-known member

• Sep 9, 2017

• #6

BirdingRob said:

Only two things can be happening. Either the birds fly over Mauritania every year (unlikely) or Iberian chiffchaff are being over looked as willow warbler. Its a zero sum game! Here is another picture of the same bird.

Click to expand...

Its for sure a Willow. I can't answer your question but agree they are likely overlooked a bit, could be flying over due to lack of denser habitats (?) ...and/or they haven't reached in numbers yet? It would be good to know the first capture dates - if there are any in the autumn?

 

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AlinoVegano

Well-known member

• Sep 9, 2017

• #7

I think it is too early for Iberian Chiffchaffs in Mauritania, but they are soon coming. Your bird has definitely too long pp to be one.

 

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BirdingRob

Brit abroad

• Sep 9, 2017

• #8

Thanks all

I will be at the same site next Saturday. It's a waste water site just north of the city and a wonderful migrant trap. I rarely use sound but I have downloaded the call. Let's see if anything responds.

This species simply must pass through in large numbers.

 

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AlinoVegano

Well-known member

• Sep 10, 2017

• #9

BirdingRob said:

Thanks all

I will be at the same site next Saturday. It's a waste water site just north of the city and a wonderful migrant trap. I rarely use sound but I have downloaded the call. Let's see if anything responds.

This species simply must pass through in large numbers.

Click to expand...

I would expect the peak of Iberian Chiffchaffs in October, much later than the WW.

 

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andyb39

Well-known member

• Sep 10, 2017

• #10

AlinoVegano said:

I would expect the peak of Iberian Chiffchaffs in October, much later than the WW.

Click to expand...

Do you get any passing through the Canaries?

 

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AlinoVegano

Well-known member

• Sep 10, 2017

• #11

andyb39 said:

Do you get any passing through the Canaries?

Click to expand...

It seems that there is no record, but I guess between the local Canary Islands Chiffchaffs and Common Chiffchaffs, few people care to look for them.

I based my comment on records from Morocco.

 

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andyb39

Well-known member

• Sep 10, 2017

• #12

I see - thanks.