Summer is the perfect season to photograph colorful birds.
Chiffchaff
Although an increasing number of chiffchaffs winter in the UK, most arrive for the summer in March and leave again in late August. It is one of the first signs of spring as it doesn’t have to travel as far from its wintering grounds in the Mediterranean and north Africa as other summer visitors. It is a dusky olive bird with pale edges on the dark wing and tail. The underparts are dull with white under the tail. On the head there is a short, pale stripe over the eye, a dark eye stripe and a white crescent underneath. The legs are thin and dark brown or black which distinguishes it from the similar looking willow warbler.
It hovers as it forages, taking insects from bushes and shrubs. The song is a lively ‘chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff’ which gives the species its name. It can be seen in woodland, close to water and is a frequent visitor to parks and gardens.
Chiffchaffs nest in bushes, tall grasses, and creeping plants. They have 1 or 2 broods a season and juveniles can be seen from late April.
Although an increasing number of chiffchaffs winter in the UK, most arrive for the summer in March and leave again in late August. It is one of the first signs of spring as it doesn’t have to travel as far from its wintering grounds in the Mediterranean and north Africa as other summer visitors. It is a dusky olive bird with pale edges on the dark wing and tail. The underparts are dull with white under the tail. On the head there is a short, pale stripe over the eye, a dark eye stripe and a white crescent underneath. The legs are thin and dark brown or black which distinguishes it from the similar looking willow warbler.
It hovers as it forages, taking insects from bushes and shrubs. The song is a lively ‘chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff’ which gives the species its name. It can be seen in woodland, close to water and is a frequent visitor to parks and gardens.
Chiffchaffs nest in bushes, tall grasses, and creeping plants. They have 1 or 2 broods a season and juveniles can be seen from late April.
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05 June 2022
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