Chiffchaff
THIS is a chiffchaff – or is it a willow warbler?
These indistinct little olive chaps, inset, were once considered the same species and are so similar that, even holding the two birds in your hands, they cannot be told apart sometimes.
Experts fight over “foolproof” ways to separate them, but no method is fail-safe, making them a complete headache.
THAT is until they sing. The chiffchaff makes a bouncy little song that sounds like it’s saying “chiff-chaff” over and over again, hence the name. The willow warbler, on the other hand, has a very pretty, melodic voice – the unexpected little Susan Boyle of the bird world.
The issue of which one is which is so hotly debated, I fear making a solid ID on this one will get me in trouble (even though I heard him chiffing and chaffing) so I will keep my mouth shut.
TO me, nothing says spring is truly here like the irritatingly cheerful call of the chiffchaff, even though where I live in Wales is one of the few places they are known to live year-round.
When spring starts you see huge numbers coming here to breed, spreading over all of Britain.
They are usually the first of our summer migrating birds to arrive, coming from the Mediterranean and West Africa. It’s not that far in terms of bird migrations.
AND now for something a little different – butterflies. Due to our topsy-turvy weather the last few years, and various other problems, butterflies are in trouble.
Around 70% of our species have been declining in numbers in recent years, and that’s not good news.
A few butterflies are bouncing back but it isn’t enough.
The good news is we can all help.
Plant more wildflowers in your garden, even between other things.
Cut down your use of pesticides where you can, and if you do get eggs and caterpillars on your plants, no matter how much of a nuisance they might seem, maybe let them have a few leaves this year.