Chiffchaffs

Breezy and sunny, 13°, moderate WSW.

Good to see Roger and Sue along the Bunk line today and as bonus they found 2 Siberian Chiffchaff as well as several Common Chiffchaff. Also a Merlin seen in the area a couple of day prior. Cheers.

Alan also found several Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest along Green Lane.

A flock of Gulls loafing in one of the fields until dispersed by a low flying Buzzard consisted of Lesser Blackback, Herring and Black-headed.

A Little Egret seen on the flood by Bunk Bridge and a Goldcrest nearby plus a scattering of Winter Thrushes and Starling.

Siberian "Tristis" Chiffchaff courtesy Roger Wyatt

Common Chiffchaff courtesy Alan

Goldcrest courtesy Alan

Little Egret

Herring Gull courtesy Alan

Yellow-legged Gull courtesy Alan (from a few days earlier)

Pallas's Warbler

Bright at first the clouding over, 5°, light WSW.

Both Alan and I took a trip out to Abingdon SWT this morning where a Pallas’s Warbler was found by Gareth Blockley on Wednesday. A first for the county.

Could not make it on Thursday so had to make the most of today as the weather looks rubbish for tomorrow.

Arrived onsite approx. 10:30 and the bird was soon located feeding fairly high in the canopy, loosely associated with a Tit flock.

Seen for good periods several times.

“Pallas's Warbler (Phylloscopus proregulus) is a bird that breeds in mountain forests from southern Siberia east to southern Mongolia and northeast China.

This tiny leaf Warbler is strongly migratory, wintering mainly in south China and adjacent areas of southeast Asia, although in recent decades increasing numbers have been found in Europe in autumn and winter.”

Also present in the area were several Common Chiffchaff, at least 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, Several Siskin and 1 or 2 Redpoll.

Always fairly high in the canopy. First 2 shots courtesy Alan and a few rubbish record shots from me.  

Siberian Chiffchaff

Earlier this month Roger Wyatt was fortunate to find a first for Cholsey.

The species in question was a Siberian Chiffchaff with not just one but two together at a private site in the village.

A Firecrest also seen at the same site and a Common Chiffchaff.

(Some authorities regard Siberian Chiffchaff as a sub-species of Common Chiffchaff and others a full species in its own right. However that debate is for another time.)

Photos courtesy Roger Wyatt