Wee bird for ID

[eenymac]

Hello Folks
Not being an expert on such matters, I'd apreciate advice on this wee thing. It was flitting around really close to me as I left the hide at Wilstone reservoir on Sunday morning. I think it's a Willow Warbler but would like a second, third, fourth...etc... opinion!

[aeshna5]

Chiffchaff for me. Can't see the primary projection (or obviously hear it) but short supercilium + black legs point towards this species.

[RoyW]

Hi eenymac,

Was this bird singing or calling at all, and if so can you describe what it sounded like? Or do you have any more photos that you can post?

Without either (or both) of the above, I personally don't think that it matters how many opinions you get on this bird, the ID will remain unresolved.
It is either a Willow Warbler or a Chiffchaff, but it is hard to make the call from this single photo (and IMO unwise to say either way with any certainty).

[Dogghound]

Plus the dark cheek/uniform ear coverts, bill shape/colour, I agree with Aeshna.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Plus the dark cheek/uniform ear coverts, bill shape/colour, I agree with Aeshna.

...and if I was pushed I would agree with you both, but I've been looking very closely at Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers locally recently, and the variability can make it difficult (less so when it's possible to watch them for a short while and get views from different angles).
The one in this post is on the brighter side for Chiffchaff, and the strong dark line through the eye is generally more common on Willow Warbler - however if another shot is available it will likely confirm that aeshna and Dogghound are correct.

I'll post a few shots of some of the ones I managed to get in the viewfinder over the last few days to see what people make of them!

[eenymac]

Hi everyone
Unfortunately, despite me standing for about 10 minutes as two of these little things flitted all around me, they never once made a sound! If they had I'd have assumed them to be Chiffchaff as I'd heard them all morning in the area.
Here's another from a different angle.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by RoyW

The one in this post is on the brighter side for Chiffchaff, and the strong dark line through the eye is generally more common on Willow Warbler

I agree it is quite a pale bird and the wing would confirm it.

I find Identifying these two Phylloscs so much easier in the field even when they are not calling as you can get a grasp of structure, wing length/shape and tail flicking etc which you can struggle to get in photo's. Its also amazing how exposure and light can alter the colour of photo's too.

[RoyW]

Same bird or a different one?

This shot appears to show paler legs, and seems to show a longer supercilium (although still less distinct behind the eye), but the plain cheeks and other features point towards Chiffchaff.
Again probably Chiffchaff, but I wouldn't want to say that for definate!

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

I find Identifying these two Phylloscs so much easier in the field even when they are not calling as you can get a grasp of structure, wing length/shape and tail flicking etc which you can struggle to get in photo's. Its also amazing how exposure and light can alter the colour of photo's too.

I agree entirely! Once you have learnt the differences they aren't (usually) too difficult in the field - the problem is learning the difference in the first place!

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by RoyW

Same bird or a different one?

This shot appears to show paler legs, and seems to show a longer supercilium (although still less distinct behind the eye), but the plain cheeks and other features point towards Chiffchaff.
Again probably Chiffchaff, but I wouldn't want to say that for definate!

Short primary projection too, very bright bird though. Has a bit of a abietinus look to it in the second photo (apart from the primary projection). Interesting.