Here we go

[Naturenutz]

Willow warbler or chiffchaff . I am slightly heading towards willow warbler as in my book the eye stripe is slightly above the eye and not through it as is shown in chiffchaff. Anyone agree or diagree

[Adam Cheeseman]

Chiffchaff. Apart from the wing projection etc. the WWs aren't here yet.

Cheers,

Adam

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Chiffchaff. Apart from the wing projection etc. the WWs aren't here yet.

Cheers,

Adam

One or two Willow Warblers have been reported, but I still haven't caught up with a Chiffchaff yet! Hopefully this weekend!

Agree bird featured is a Chiffchaff.

[darrenm]

Dark legs would suggest Chiffchaff

Quite a few Chiffchaff in Colwick Park in Nottingham last Saturday but only two yesterday and the first lot may have been birds just passing through.

I had a single Wheatear on Monday on another local patch

A very reliable local Birder friend saw two House Martin yesterday and she phoned me to rub it in .... and i havnt seen a Sand Martin yet but Sand Martin have been recorded along the Trent Valley since last weekend.

I really love this time of year

[Naturenutz]

Adam they were repported here on the severnsidebirds website last week at the location i took these photos today which is just a few miles from me.these birds were very quiet though and no chiffchaff song.. I have one more photo from the same hedgerow but not the same bird.There were 4 or 5 along the hedge.I first thought whitethroat as they were flying up as they do and then tumbling down.I then had a closer look and realised they were chiffchaff or willows probably flycatching in the late evening sun along the coastal hedges.I am happy if its chiffchaff though as neither is on my year list :-) .

[Naturenutz]

I have zoomed in and the legs dont look very dark to me But i will go with the consensus.

[rossy]

Originally Posted by darrenm

Dark legs would suggest Chiffchaff

Quite a few Chiffchaff in Colwick Park in Nottingham last Saturday but only two yesterday and the first lot may have been birds just passing through.

I had a single Wheatear on Monday on another local patch

A very reliable local Birder friend saw two House Martin yesterday and she phoned me to rub it in .... and i havnt seen a Sand Martin yet but Sand Martin have been recorded along the Trent Valley since last weekend.

I really love this time of year

not disputing your reliable birder darren, but find it hard to believe house martins are around, sand martins yes, but this is really early for house martins, anyone got records of them arriving this early ? rossy.

[darrenm]

Hi Rossy, i was very surprised about the House Martin sighting too and did question her (very much to her annoyance) but her field identification skills are top notch and she has worked at two migration hotspots for long periods and trained as a ringer

[Dogghound]

Definitly a chiffchaff, leg colour can be variable (although not usually as pale as WW) and is not always the best approach to ID although it can aid it. Primary projection, eye ring/cheek colour, bill, and tail flicks are all good to check too.

House martin in March? that is extremely early, usually into April for these.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by rossy

not disputing your reliable birder darren, but find it hard to believe house martins are around, sand martins yes, but this is really early for house martins, anyone got records of them arriving this early ? rossy.

Bird Guides did report at least 1 House Martin this week but agree very early. I've yet to see any spring migrants . I did hear a Blackcap earlier this week which may have been a migrant (but maybe not?).