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Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
Generally, the Chiffchaff is our first returning summer migrant each year. It is one of the ‘leaf’ warblers. The first part of its scientific name ‘Phylloscopus’ means Leaf Explorer, describing when it is actively looking for insect food such as aphids, spiders and flies.
Chiffchaffs winter in the Mediterranean and western Africa, arriving in the UK from March where their metronomic but upbeat, two note song, is often one of the first sounds of spring.
Predominantly a green-brown colour with dark legs and a pale stripe above the eye, they can often be heard singing from the tops of trees. There are usually regulars at the Ups and Downs, Mill Hill and Van Buren’s meadow, with the Common probably supporting around six to ten pairs in total.
Birds can sing well into June but are likely to be males shirking any domestic duties, as it is generally the female that takes on the nest building, incubation and feeding the young.
The domed nest of moss, dead leaves and grass, often with a thick feather lining, is at ground level and often located in tussocks of grass or amongst brambles, tree roots, or low bushes. Unfortunately, this does make them vulnerable, particularly to domestic cats but also dogs, rats and crows. Five to six eggs will normally be laid in late April/early May. Chicks hatch after about two weeks and fledge two weeks later.
By September, Chiffchaffs are heading back south again and generally gone from the Common by mid-October. However, with climate change and particularly in London where temperatures may be slightly higher in winter, birds are increasingly overwintering. Whilst some are birds from Scandinavia and Continental Europe, it is possible that individuals from our own breeding population are also now staying for the winter and have become resident.
Adrian Podmore. March 2020
Photo: Chiffchaff on Wimbledon Common. Credit: Les Evans-Hill
Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
Generally, the Chiffchaff is our first returning summer migrant each year. It is one of the ‘leaf’ warblers. The first part of its scientific name ‘Phylloscopus’ means Leaf Explorer, describing when it is actively looking for insect food such as aphids, spiders and flies.
Chiffchaffs winter in the Mediterranean and western Africa, arriving in the UK from March where their metronomic but upbeat, two note song, is often one of the first sounds of spring.
Predominantly a green-brown colour with dark legs and a pale stripe above the eye, they can often be heard singing from the tops of trees. There are usually regulars at the Ups and Downs, Mill Hill and Van Buren’s meadow, with the Common probably supporting around six to ten pairs in total.
Birds can sing well into June but are likely to be males shirking any domestic duties, as it is generally the female that takes on the nest building, incubation and feeding the young.
The domed nest of moss, dead leaves and grass, often with a thick feather lining, is at ground level and often located in tussocks of grass or amongst brambles, tree roots, or low bushes. Unfortunately, this does make them vulnerable, particularly to domestic cats but also dogs, rats and crows. Five to six eggs will normally be laid in late April/early May. Chicks hatch after about two weeks and fledge two weeks later.
By September, Chiffchaffs are heading back south again and generally gone from the Common by mid-October. However, with climate change and particularly in London where temperatures may be slightly higher in winter, birds are increasingly overwintering. Whilst some are birds from Scandinavia and Continental Europe, it is possible that individuals from our own breeding population are also now staying for the winter and have become resident.
Adrian Podmore. March 2020
Photo: Chiffchaff on Wimbledon Common. Credit: Les Evans-Hill
Barnes Common
Vine Road Pavilion
Vine Road
Barnes SW13 0NE