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.

Chiffchaff - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

With dark legs like that it looks like it’s a Chiffchaff.

Chiffchaff - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

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.

Chiffchaff - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

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.

Chiffchaff - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

This one is a brave pioneer, clinging on in the microclimate of South Devon. It’s a survivor.

More Chiffchaffs

Chiffchaff - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) 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
Chiffchaff - The Hall of Einar - photograph (C) David Bailey (not the) Catching flies I love this time of year. I can feel the sap rising all around me. The insects which this Chiffchaff… read more
Chiffchaff - The Hall of Einar - photograph (C) David Bailey (not the) 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
Chiffchaff - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) 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
Chiffchaff - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey 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 - Gran Canaria - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) 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
A Wilder Italian Life 2019 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
Chiffchaff - Caffarella - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) 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
Kestrel - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the) 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

Feel free to leave a Reply :)