Although I have been interested in birds and wildlife for as long as I can remember, I'm not very good with bird songs at all. Today I could hear a bird singing on the walkway (although the wind made it very difficult!) and I had no idea what it was.
I decided to consult the Bird Guides iPhone app and basically trawl through it there and then to find this bird. It didn't take much searching to find out that it was a Chiffchaff thankfully!
A friend said they couldn't believe that I couldn't recongise a bird that basically sang its name, but if you've never heard it you'd never know what you were looking for!
I know feel accomplished that I can recognise a new bird song and that there is a bird on the walkway I have never seen before and have to keep a close eye out for!
Its amazing what is actually on your doorstep sometimes!
Hi Paul
Well done with your Chiffys.
My OH and I had a debate the other day what the Chiff Chaff song was really like to listen too. The song is not a direct Chiff chaff more of a Chiff chaff with different level notes attached is that makes sense. Sometimes there is a third note - instead of two notes so it is three/four notes different lengths to one another
So a Chiff Chaffs namesake is not always too clear cut at all - it is how we interpret it.
Put it another way there is no other bird or Warbler that remotely sounds like a Chiff Chaff. The other Warblers are more confusing to me.
The Willow Warbler sounds like it is singing (Doh, ray, me, so, faah, me, Ray Doh) the wrong way around from upper note to lower note. The Willow Warbler likes to sit on the end of a branch and sing so it is easy to scope and photograph. It is one bird that has a distinctive call like the Chiff Chaff
The Blackcap on the other hand is quite distinctive, well hidden in a bush, along with restless flitting about, and it is very loud (and proud).
The Garden Warbler sounds like it is on heilon and a speeded up version of a Blackcap's call. Heard my first one last year.
The Cetti's Warbler is the loudest singing Warbler to me. Much more plainer simplier call than the Blackcap. It is one of the most difficult birds to see as it is very illusive in the undergrowth. You are lucky to see a shadow of the bird at all.
The White Throat is distinctive due to having a easily seen white throat. The Lesser White Throat is one bird I have never seen.
Just some thoughts that come to mind at the moment as there is so much to learn.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Hi Kathy,
thank you for your post there, most helpful :o)
I agree with you, the Chiffchaff's namesake is not always too clear cut at at all when its is singing. AT first it was just me not being able to hear it the way others do.
I'll be listening out ore now to see what I can hear on the walkway. I'd imagine there are plenty more birds than just the ones I can recognise from their calls. If there's one thing I've learned with my growing interest in birdwatching is that you have to use your ears just as much as your eyes!