Saturday 31 January 2015

31st January 2015 Lewes Brooks & Swanborough SF

Barnacle Goose 1
White-fronted Goose 4
Sanderling 1 Newhaven beach
Grey Wagtail 1
Siberian Chiffchaff 2
Chiffchaff 12+
Great Grey Shrike 1

 



Siberian Chiffchaff at Swanborough Sewage Farm (all images JFC)
with a brief appearance by a collybita in the video
 
Both tristis appeared eye-catchingly pale in comparison to the collybita present. Black eye, small spiky-shaped black bill and thin black legs and black feet were common to both individuals. Crown, nape and mantle milky-brown on one, being greyer on the second individual, that in all other respects appeared identical. Hence, both lacked any hint of green to their crown or mantle. Both appeared very slightly greyer on the sides of the nape producing something of a greyer shawl at certain angles. Buff supercilium completely lacking any trace of yellow. Dark pencil-line eye-stripes contrasted with their pale supercilia and crossed their lores. Ear-coverts brown, mottled and tinged slightly warmer than their crowns. Eye bordered below by a neat narrow white half-circle. Throat, breast, belly and undertail-coverts white, completely lacking any trace of yellow.  Breast-sides and flanks washed with buff again lacking any yellow. Dark alula. Tips of greater coverts very slightly paler, forming a slight pale greater covert bar. Secondaries with greenish fringes so reminiscent of a Bonelli’s Warbler especially as they contrasted with grey-brown primaries and tertials.