Willowchiff?

[Steve B]

Trying to ID this bird, photographed today in Taunton, just a few feet above the canal. I've read numerous threads and looked at I-don't-know-how-many pictures here and elsewhere. Several times I've been *certain* it's a willow warbler, and just as many times I've changed my mind - it *has to be* a chiffchaff. The top right shot even shows it dipping its tail! But the legs are the wrong colour. And so on and so on.

Sorry about the photo quality, I don't have a long enough lens and I couldn't get any closer without swimming.

[sleipnerofasgard]

I Would Say That Is A Willow Warbler From The Leg Colour

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

When was it? if it was in winter you could virtually rule out a Willow Warbler

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Lincs Yellowbelly

When was it? if it was in winter you could virtually rule out a Willow Warbler

exactly what I was about to say

[Fourwings]

I'd have to say collybita form Chiffchaff.
The leg colour can vary considerably.

[sleipnerofasgard]

Sorry should have seen that bit about photographed today

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Lincs Yellowbelly

When was it? if it was in winter you could virtually rule out a Willow Warbler

Absolutely. Primary projection looks short too.

Regards, Chris

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Absolutely. Primary projection looks short too.

Regards, Chris

All the years studying bird books pays off seriously though, the week in march when I hear the first Chiffchaff of the year is my favourate time, I always get a week off around the 15th and haven't been let down yet

[Steve B]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

A couple of you say it can't be a willow warbler in the middle of winter, and another suggests mid March for the first chiffchaff! What chance does a beginner like me have?!

If it makes a difference, I'm in the south west where it's almost always warmer than elsewhere in the UK, and we've had a very mild winter even by south west standards.

Also - I went down to the same spot today and saw what was quite possibly the same bird feeding in exactly the same way. It didn't make a sound so no clues there! But I specifically watched for the dipping tail that I'd read about and saw it several times. Therefore chiffchaff?...

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Steve B

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

A couple of you say it can't be a willow warbler in the middle of winter, and another suggests mid March for the first chiffchaff! What chance does a beginner like me have?!

If it makes a difference, I'm in the south west where it's almost always warmer than elsewhere in the UK, and we've had a very mild winter even by south west standards.

Also - I went down to the same spot today and saw what was quite possibly the same bird feeding in exactly the same way. It didn't make a sound so no clues there! But I specifically watched for the dipping tail that I'd read about and saw it several times. Therefore chiffchaff?...

To try + help here- the first MIGRANT Chiffchaffs arrive here in mid-March, but at the same time considerable numbers now successfully overwinter here, so it's possible to see this species 12 months of the year, but much more numerous March-September.

There is the odd record of overwintering Willow Warbler, which is a long distance migrant, but is exceedingly rare at this time of year. Though Chiffchaff normally has dark legs I agree this is a Chiffchaff on structure + short primary projection. The tail pumping you observed is another good clue.