Phylloscopus collybita
May 15, 2001: Spinney Wood, Kent, England
I heard a bird singing a very distinctive song that I didn’t recognize, so I went to investigate. I followed the song until I was sure I had the correct tree, but still couldn’t spot the bird. So, instead, I concentrated on memorizing the song, so I could still go back and have a chance of IDing the bird later: it was a strongly whistled song in a definite rhythm 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3, with an occasional 1-2-3-4 thrown in. It reminded me of a waltz. Finally I spotted the bird, and was amazed to see a willowchiff – but obviously not a willow warbler. So, it must be a chiffchaff, but the song does not sound like chiff-chiff-chaff to me (they way they say it does in the books). But couldn’t imagine what else it could be. After I got home, I checked out the song using the British Birds DVD I’d bought on the trip, and sure enough, my bird was a chiffchaff. I still think that chiff-chiff-chaff is not a very good description of the song. I may start calling them waltz birds in protest.
May 16, 2001 Réserve Naturelle Nationale de la Baie de Somme-Parc du Marquenterre, Picardie, France
Didn’t spot this bird, but heard the song quite clearly.
Let me know what you think!