A Chiffchaff?

[Michelleatiisis]

Would i see one of these at this time of year?
If not, what would it have been that is very similar?

i am seeing new birds all the time in my garden, especially in the 'special' tree just beside my house.

This small bird came this morning and I have not seen it before, in my book, the closest is a Chiffchaff but it says these migrate?

It was not a finch. Small, light brownish with a lighter breast into belly without markings. Didn't get to see it's back properly. Very small head sat on top of the body without showing much in the way of a neck. Slight hint of eyeliner style marking on the face. Round dark eye (actually the eyes could have been bigger than a chiffchaff eye) and black (or very dark) beak same shape like a Chiffchaff.
Any ideas?
I am going to try to spot it again.

[Dogghound]

No reason why not, we do get a small number which overwinter in the uk.

Where in the uk are you? what was it doing? was it in a tree? on the ground?

How did it hold its tail? did it keep flicking its tail?

Did it make any noise?

[Michelleatiisis]

I was watching through a window so I didn't hear it.

We have this tree that at some point in it's life, has been cut down just after the point where it's trunk forks into two branches. because of this it just has millions of small branches/shoots that stick up like a hedgehog (it's hard to describe but there is a slim chance you know what I mean). The whole trunk is covered in some sort of ivy. The birds all love this tree.
The 'chiffchaff' was in this tree at the time, using the small branches almost like reeds. It was eating something on the branches..... most of the birds do this, the tree is a sycamore and seems to have little bud style sprouts on the end of the branches, which all the birds like to have a go at.
Didn't notice the tail to be honest. i did get a good look at the bird through bins.
I am new to birdspotting but am about 90% sure it was a Chiffchaff now that you said some winter here, so thanks!

[aeshna5]

I'm sure it was a Chiffchaff as there are few confusion species at this time of year, whereas Chiffchaffs are not that uncommon now in the winter. The main confusion species- Willow Warbler is extremely rare as a winter visitor (I've only heard of a couple of records over the years).