Bob the Birder: Chiffchaffs

Tuesday 27 January 2015

Chiffchaffs

Tuesday 27th January 2015
Since returning from not so sunny Lanzarote I've been visiting Tips and Sewage outfalls, as you do. Finding something unusual at Hartshill or Hams Hall Sewage works is always a possibility and Hams Hall certainly has a good track record in recent years. Having been very lucky to catch up with the Kumlien's Gull at Bubbenhall Tip earlier with a little help from some of Warkwickshire's finest. I spent yesterday at Wishaw and then Middleton lakes. In the fields around Wishaw there was a flock of several hundred Golden plover and a slightly smaller flock of Fieldfare with a few Mistle thrush and Redwing thrown in.
Today I checked the river Anker at Woodford Lane. There had been a hatch of Midges with several species taking advantage in the bushes overhanging the river. There were up to 10 Chiffchaff, a similar number of Goldcrests and a count of 6 Wrens. It was then on to Hams Hall to check out the Sewage outfall there. I had the place to myself and it wasnt too long before a likely candidate for Siberian Chiffchaff appeared. This time I was with camera and was able to get a few shots.