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.
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