What's the earliest you have seen or heard a migrating bird?

Chiffchaffs are resident all year round in southern counties.

Galatas said:

Chiffchaffs are resident all year round in southern counties.

Present all year - but not necessarily resident.

The picture is currently clearer with Blackcaps, with most of (all?)  those that breed in the UK heading south-west to winter in Iberia an north-west Africa, being replaced by wintering birds that come from the near continent (Germany and nearby countries).

Something similar may be happening with Chiffchaffs, although I believe that there is some evidence that at least a few individuals don't leave the country.

Unknown said:

Present all year - but not necessarily resident.

Tax avoidance in the avian world too ?  Hope Mr. Osborne is looking into this :- )

We have an all the year round resident Blackcap. But I wasn't aware of Chiffchaff's overstaying their permits.

Hi-

I'm going to be really pedantic and say that migration takes place almost all year round in some way or another.

Summer visitors arrive in spring, and go in autumn,

winter visitors arrive in autumn and leave in early spring,

others pass through in several directions at different times of the year.

Sections of some populations of common birds we may think of as resident ( eg Blue Tits )  move in and out of the country either regularly or as a result of hard weather etc

:)

S