Chiff Chaff
There’s a small bird in the trees. It looks green in this light. It’s fluttering in exaggerated hunting trips as it launches itself from the trees and catches insects so small I can’t see them.
With dark legs like that it looks like it’s a Chiffchaff.
It’s not making any sounds as it hunts, but given the state of this burgeoning blossom I think the call of baby Chiffchaffs can’t be many weeks away.
I’m looking forward to an influx of more birds from Africa. The RSPB says there are 1.2 million Chiffchaff territories in the UK, but only 500 to 1,000 stay here for winter.
This one is a brave pioneer, clinging on in the microclimate of South Devon. It’s a survivor.
More Chiffchaffs
Chiffing and chaffing A trip to RSPB Lodmoor in Weymouth revealed scrubby field edges, hedgerows and brambles full of Chiffchaffs. They were active… read more
Catching flies I love this time of year. I can feel the sap rising all around me. The insects which this Chiffchaff… read more
Catching flies I've been for a long walk and need a sit down. I'm at the end of the path here and… read more
When Chiffchaffs arrive When Chiffchaffs arrive, it's a joyous day. I celebrate their cheerful attempt at a call and delight in the arrival… read more
Chaffchiff There's a Chiffchaff in the tree. At some stage a predecessor of the Willow Warbler and the Chiffchaff had a… read more
Canary Islands Chiffchaff on the balcony We're in Gran Canaria for a few days and we've moved to Agaete, a coastal town. There's a wonderful walk… read more
2019 highlights of a wilder Italian life My Italian life in 2019 started in January with a whale of a murmuration with a raptor on its tail.… read more
Lui Piccolo We're at the Parco della Caffarella in Rome. It's a sprawling urban park with grass closely cropped by the escaped… read more
Seaton Wetlands Sunshine; warmth; the feel of spring in the air. It's a while since I've felt that; and that's also true… read more