Willow Warbler + repost

At least I believe it is. See my comments on Philip Tomkinsons Chiff Chaff. I'm sure there must be some serious birders out there who can put me right!
Canon EOS 30D
Sigma 500mm
exp 1/750 @f6.7 iso 640

I'm no expert Robert, but i would agree this is a WW.

I tend to rely on their songs, whenever possible, and failing that, their leg colour.

On my local patch the willow warblers have only just arrived, although chiffchaffs have been here in reasonable numbers for some time.

Alan

Nice enviro shot. Definitely a Willow Warbler. The easy way to differentiate between Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff is that the latter has black legs and feet.

Paul

Hi Robert I would go with willow warbler on this one although not completely clear the length of the primary projection comparative to the rest of the primarys plus the shape of the primarys along with the leg colour points towards willow warbler, if you want a really good book on the differences between willow warbler and chiffchaff one of the Hamlyn species guide by Peter Clement titled the chiffchaff covers quite a few nominate races and different but similar species to the chiffchaff including willow warbler.

Phil.

Ps would like to see a close-up of the wing and tail possibly the true leg colour.

Having black legs is not always indicative of a Chiffchaff, some Willow warblers can have very dark legs looking black in certain light conditions. As Mr Tomkinson says, primary projection is the only definitive id guide, along with song of course.

Heavens above Phil, it's no wonder I can never tell what I'm photographing. I reckon from now on if I get anything other than a Robin or a Red Kite I'll pop it on here and get a fromal ID.
Thanks for the assistance. I'll take a look to see if I have another that might make it clearer.

Hello again Phil,
Does this help at all? Not a lot of difference I know but it is cropped a bit bigger.
Robert.
ps this is the fourth time I have tried to post this, every time I hit reply it throws me out of the site.

Try again. I think the image must have been too large.

Willow Warbler. Primary extension is obvious on this shot.

Looks nice an "yellowish" as a WW might.. Never ever that cut and dried though.(unless singing )
JohnR

Hi Robert the primary extension would indicate a willow warbler of course the easiest identification is the song.

Phil.

Thanks all. As for the songs I'm even worse on those, too many years playing Led Zeppelin at loud volume I suppose!
Rob

Hi Robert,

Nice capture of a Willow Warbler! Now my favourites are 'Nobody fault but mine' and 'Black Dog' to mention a couple! Did you get a tickets for the live concert recently? I also have all Robert Plant's stuff! Now who'd be my neighbour!

Whatever it is, the image makes me want to see on one day.

Nice capture Robert.
John

Thanks for all the comments.
No Paul I didn't get tickets, I'm afraid they are out of my price range these days. I did see them when Bonzo was alive back in '75 or '76 at Earls Court. Awesome band (but still not as good as The Who live, seen them 4 times).

Nice capture Robert , super little birds with a gorgeous song

Andy...

Well done getting a shot of these little birds. Not always so easy!