ChiffChaff (i think)

Im pretty sure this is a Chifchaff, the song gave it away more than anthing, not the best shot it the world, shooting into the sun didnt help, but pleased ive got one on file

Nikon D2xs
Sigma 500mm
beanbag on hide windown
ISO 200
1/250th @ f5.6
RAW
Bibble and CS3

Thanks

Andy

I'm thinking willow warbler,nice capture

Hi Andy,

I agree with Stu, this is a Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

Andy

If it was definately singing a repeated 'chip-chop' then you are correct

The wing angle is not easy in the image, but the legs are dark and the primary projection {'P'}looks shorter than tertial length {'T'} although the entire wing looks longish, the feather length ratio looks wrong for WW to me.

I thought that mike, Chiffies are usually dingier than this but then again it could be frest plumage. It was pumping its tail a bit as well and the legs were defo darker than a WW, the eyestripe is prominent but the song gave it away for me!

coloration, especially against the light like this bird can frequently be challanging especially when the white balance is difficult to get right, the two old favourites wing projection and leg color are usually more reliable indicators for an image, but hearing the song in the field is the real id criteria. roll on multimedia images eh!!

Acutally I stand corrected - Mike's right! It is a Chiffchaff Phyylloscopus collybita. It has darker legs than the WW and a clear eye ring! I was confused as this is normally found on the ground than the WW! It also has a short bill!

Great capture Andy of the Chiffchaff.
John

Spring has arrived, very nice ANdy!
Rene de heer

Chiffchaff it is (still a bit early for Willows...) but a nice light bird with rather light legs.

I always think that this is the best time for photographing these as the trees are still pretty bare (at least around here). Anothere week or two and they will be a pain to get a clean shot of. Nice image BTW.
Eric