A chiffchaff like any other (almost)

When is an ordinary chiffchaff not an ordinary chiffchaff? Well, when it's an Iberian chiffchaff, of course. Blowed if I could see much difference but there it was and I took it's picture. It's hard to get too excited about a chiffchaff but it is a new lifer and a year tick too. It was rather wet when I went so I borrowed Lynne's umbrella with the flashing LEDs to cheer up the birds. The poor chiffchaff looks quite bedraggled. It's a good job it was so obliging and came out to sing instead of hiding from the rain.

Iberian chiffchaff, Kent





After that, I went on to Dungeness RSPB and was lucky to see the purple heron briefly as it flew.

Purple Heron, Barnes WWT London

Went to London Wetlands today to see the juvenile purple heron. It was rather elusive at first but it finally came out into the open. A lifer for me.


Juvenile purple heron.

There were also three wood sandpipers. Also lifers. My year list is on 209 so far.