Two Warblers for ID please, or are they the same warbler?

christina · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010, 11:36 AM

The gang arrived in the garden yesterday, they come about 4 times per day, (longtails and pals) for the afternoon bath, feed and sunbathe and amongst them were these two warblers. I had a friend ID the bright yellow one on Wednesday (via another photo) as a willow warbler but the other has more white than yellow. I know some of you can ID it for me, thank you.

This has been ID'd as the willow warber.

Is this a chiffchaff or garden warbler or wood warbler?

Thank you
Christina

RobinP · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010, 12:29 PM

I'd agree with Willow Warbler for the first, number two looks like Chiffchaff to me.

Robin

RoyW · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 01:13 AM

One is a juvenile Willow (Chiffchaffs are never as yellow as this - I didn't even open the thumbnail image).
Two is almost certainly a Chiffchaff, again it looks like it may be a juv. It's hard to be 100% certain though as the best features are not visible.

christina · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 07:18 AM

Thank you Roy, our garden is becoming a mini nature reserve, we even have a visiting Heron

RobS · #5 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 03:55 PM

I would agree with WW for the first one although the legs look quite dark. On that point I would suggest CC for the second.

Rob S

Dogghound · #6 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 04:25 PM

Legs are not a particularly reliable ID feature and should not be used alone to tell these two species apart. 1. I agree willow warbler pale cheek, looks fresh, very yellow undersides I would say a Juv. 2. As Roy says the wing features are not visible, but the overall look, dark cheek, pale obvious eye ring look good for a chiff, the mouth shows the remains of a gape. This can be variable but 9 times out of 10 means its one of this years birds in my XP. Again colour can be variable but the overall darker brown colour also suggests Chiff to me.

christina · #7 (**permalink**) 04-09-2010, 04:34 PM

Thank you RobS and Dogghound for your help. Here is another pic of the Chiffchaff showing it coming into land and grabbing a morsel from the tree, only one wing visible I'm afraid but hope it confirms what you already confirmed(!) . I apologise in advance for the pool quality pic, he was further away than my chosen spot. Thanks again.

Christina