Where are all the Chiffchaffs? (1 Viewer)

[birderbryan]

I have been monitoring the breeding Chiffchaffs in and around the village of Burton In Kendal in the South Lakes UK. I have records for the past three years on a spreadsheet. Where I book down the arrival dates and check them every week to two week throughout their stay etc. We have a least 33 singing birds representing the same number of territories.

This year the birds that have returned are later than the norm by a average of 18 days (general consensus). This delay represents a trend throughout the North and considered to be caused through the adverse weather conditions they would have met prior or during the onset of their migrations North.

The worrying fact is that only 17 singing birds have arrived back (more or less 50%) on territory. The territory of these birds is the same area every year within a few metres. Its even more worrying to realize that there have not been any new arrivals of this species since the 15th April. I am noting daily arrivals of Willow Warblers, but certainly no Chiffchaffs.

I have put this on here to see if anyone else monitors the Chiffchaffs within a area which would allow them to draw any conclusions or comparisons with this. Any replies would be most welcome.

Also of note is that the Chiffchaffs on 90% of territories are very subdued with their singing, where in the main they can only manage short burst of song, part song and some even silent. The only Chiffchaffs that seem to be singing OK are the ones in the more sheltered areas.

 

[Bowlander]

Heard one a fortnight ago at Levens but not much here in Bowland since. Wiilow Warbler and Redstart are back late but in similar numbers to previous years.

 

[davercox]

In late March and early April there were large numbers reported here in Devon, unusually feeding on the ground and apparently fairly desperate for food in the wintery conditions. It's possible a lot of them didn't make it through that period.

 

[Bowlander]

We've seen Willow Warblers feeding on the ground here too. Spring needs to happen soon, seen kestrels feeding on the road kill here too, hardly any voles about.

 

[DaveN]

I've just been checking back on my Chiffchaff counts over the past couple of years at Carsington Water where I regularly attend. On April 16th 2012 I counted 49 Chiffchaffs during a walk around the water. On almost the same date this year (15th) I had 14. A significant difference. Although the walk this year wasn't as far I would not have added many more. A similar walk yesterday produced 21 so numbers are increasing but still way down.

Blackcaps and Willow Warblers are also slightly down but not significantly.
Incidentally we've seen both Whitethroat and Blackcaps feeding on the ground.

Last week at a couple of lowland sites (Cromford Canal and Wyver Lane) we noticed decent numbers of Willow Warblers in song. In a 'normal' year these two sites might get 1 or 2 at best but both sites had 4. Hardly ground breaking stuff but we thought it of note and maybe to do with the weather and/or lack of food on their usual territories.

 

[Tideliner]

Its the same in Norfolk chiffchaff late in arriving and though there seemed good numbers about last week a lot fewer about now so perhaps many of last weeks birds were on passage. Its s a similar story with blackcap.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Very few up here.

 

[Farnboro John]

I agree with the sentiments expressed about Chiffchaffs.

However, Blackcaps are now here in numbers - though very late - and the normally later migrants are coming in at normal levels.

My conclusion is that Chiffs have tried to come in at their normal time and been hammered as a result. For other species the spring passage will be later but more intense than usual.

I imagine that one or two broods this summer will restore Chiff numbers - boon and bust must be the norm.

John

 

[mulligatawny owl]

Serious lack of chiffchaffs here in my corner of the New forest too compared to previous years.

 

[jpoyner]

I heard reports of Chiffs being found dead around the south coast when we had that sudden cold snap, not sure how reliable this is or how many birds were found but could have been some significant mortality of early arrivals I guess.

 

[angusmcoatup]

I've noticed less Chiffchaffs than in the previous few years also,with higher Willow Warbler numbers. I've also seen a few more inland Whitethroats than in the last couple of springs. Blackcaps seem to be fine around here,there's a pair in my garden as I write which is notable in itself.

 

[birderbryan]

Many thanks for all the constructive replies which have helped me tremendously and also confirmed my very thoughts.
I also gave thought that perhaps they had encountered problems with those severe strong bitter cold winds which seemed continuously day after day and which coincided with the Chiffchaffs onset and during their migration.

Thank you,
Bryan Yorke

" I Love Arnside and Silverdale"

 

[Monahawk]

Numbers down in my area too, as are willow warblers. Blackcaps seem to be OK, but no sign of any sedge warblers, whitethroats or grasshopper warblers which are normally in by now. The severely cold dry start to spring and now the cold blustery wet northerly winds, offer no favours to the migrants. Even swallow and martin numbers are down. There simply aren't enough insects around at the moment to sustain them. All looks a bit bleak at the moment.

Si.

 

[mulligatawny owl]

Chiffchaffs aplenty now, but where are all the willow warblers?!

 

[birderbryan]

Chiffchaffs have definately down here from 33 sites to only 15 sites and dont expect anymore birds to arrive. There have not been anymore since April 15th.
Not sure about the Willow Warblers, I did think at first we had done better than previous years, but was probably misguided by the initial burst which must have included many "resting up and moving off birds" because now its settled down a bit. I do think that they too may be under a little. Certainly not 50% as like the Chiffchaff, but probably about 25% down with the Willow Warblers.
Also the Swallows around here are not at their best also. eg: One of the local farms around here usually have no less than 17 breeding pairs back by about the first couple of days in May and they only have about 2 pairs back at the moment. Same story from lots and lots of folk. But I do hope and expect them probably to come through later. Everything seems about 3 weeks overdue!

Bryan Yorke
"I Love Arnside and Silverdale"

 

[Gill Osborne]

Small amounts of chiffchaff and willow warbler up here in Northumberland but what I've noticed seem scarce are SWIFTS! :-C I've seen just three since my first on 2nd May....normally we have dozens screaming around Alnwick by now but I haven't seen or heard a single one!

 

[Kentbloke]

Small amounts of chiffchaff and willow warbler up here in Northumberland but what I've noticed seem scarce are SWIFTS! :-C I've seen just three since my first on 2nd May....normally we have dozens screaming around Alnwick by now but I haven't seen or heard a single one!

Gill, I haven't seen a single Swift at all this year!

 

[birderbryan]

It is the same here in South Cumbria. I have seen individual Swifts passing through during the past week or so, but our village Swifts (15 approx) have not returned yet.

I always used to reckon with Swifts: May 4 in and Aug 4 out, but that is certainly not the case this year.

I have found that most stuff is about three weeks behind the usual. (plants, trees, insects, birds)

Bryan Yorke
(I Love Arnside and Silverdale)

 

[Gill Osborne]

Thanks guys....I was thinking I was just imagining it! :eek!:

Would the swifts be hanging back over Europe waiting for better weather in the UK like the migrants did a few weeks ago when it was that constant NE wind. Personally I cannot see that being the case as surely they 'need' to get back on the breeding sites and crack on with the business of breeding?

The Express (who else ) was saying it's going to be another grotty summer due to the jetstream being south of the UK like last year (i work in a newsagents so get to browse all the papers for free). Hopefully not....I'm not a sun worshipper myself but we need an ok summer for the sake of the wildlife I think.

 

[Gill Osborne]

I have found that most stuff is about three weeks behind the usual. (plants, trees, insects, birds)

Reassuring....if they're not back by 21st I'll send the search parties out