Chiffchaff or Willow Warbler?

[sniper]

This little Warbler was in my garden late October, I decided on Willow Warbler, do you agree?

[sniper]

This may be a more helpful shot

[rolf]

Certainly looks like a Willow warbler, the second shot shows the lighter coloured legs.

[Merlin]

Two things here 'sniper' the first shot looks like a Chiffchaff dark legs and all. The second shot looks more like a Willow Warbler light legs and all. To complicate the issue, October is late for Willow Warbler....late October is very late for Willow Warbler.

Question....are these shots both of the same bird?


Pete.

[Chocky]

I wondered that as you say Pete the fist has dark legs and the second doesn't and the colours differ

[sniper]

They sure are Merlin, taken within a minute of each other ,, here is another.

[rolf]

I've now split this from the other thread, as it is worthy of separate discussion.

[sniper]

They sure are , probably within a minute of each other................I think I just posted on the wrong thread ................no Ididn't

[rolf]

Yes you did, but only because I'd moved your posts to a new thread.

[sniper]

Some Willow Warblers and indeed some Chiffchaffs are now spending the winter further north here in England, tho' the leg colour helps in identification it is not always regarded as a positive means of i.d. some northern races of Chiffchaff have greyer legs,and this bird visited me on the18th of Oct. so it may have just popped in while heading south
regards
Sniper

[sniper]

Rolf, I'm easily confused so off to bed I go and I will catch up tomorrow

[rolf]

Good night.

[Merlin]

This is getting complicated 'sniper' and I'm off to bed soon also, so see you tomorrow.


Pete.