Thursday 26 December 2013

Siberian Chiffchaff and Buff-bellied Pipit

SW-2, mild and cloudy

Boxing day highlights came from South Wirral. The Buff bellied Pipit put on a splendid show in the tide wrack at the end of Denhall lane where there was also an exceptionally late or possibly wintering Wheatear.

Several Chiffchaffs flitted between the tide wrack and the roadside Hawthorns giving observes the chance to compare nominate race collybita and the Siberian race Tristis. 

Although light can play a part, what is consistent when identifying Tristis, is the overall, olive brown / grey coloration, lack of yellow in the supercillium and the bright green edging to the primaries, just visible in the photo below.

Photos- AMC


Phylloscopus collybita tristis

Wheatear-  very late

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