Took a short trip down to the local sewage works here in Sherborne to search for the reported Siberian Chiffchaff which has been present in recent day's. I have had a very good winter for both Common and Siberian Chiffchaff's which have over-wintered in relatively good numbers in Dorset and Somerset, particularly around Sewage treatment works. Siberian Chiffchaff is classed as a separate subspecies "tristis race" of Common Chiffchaff " Phylloscopus collybita". It is now treated as a separate species by many birders due to the vast difference in plumage appearence and the birds song & call which is unique to Sibe Chiffs.
I have seen at least 8 different Siberian Chiffchaffs in the UK and each bird is very unique. Siberian Chiffchaff' originates from Eastern Europe, wintering in southern Asia. In recent decades they have been recorded very frequently across the British Isles and in South-west Ireland and now classed as a scarce vagrant to the UK. Each year it is becoming just as regular as a wintering common Chiffchaff.
Reading up on Siberian Chiffchaff identification to compare my photos shows the huge range of variation in plumage characteristics that Siberian Chiffchaff show. The classic standard Sibe Chiff is a very dull grey washed out overall plumage, bright buff supercilium, dark black bill& legs and a Bullfinch/Dunnock like call. There is still much study undergoing looking at Siberian Chiffchaffs.
Here is a link from birding frontiers showing such variation and key identification features for Sibe's.
http://birdingfrontiers.com/2013/01/01/siberian-chiffchaff-and-common-chiffchaff-part-1/
This bird was very unique in appearance. It was much brighter grey and white in colour than previous Sibe Chiff''s I've ever seen and stood out like a sore thumb!!!!
These first few images show the classic features of Siberian Chiffchaff and a few other features comparing with "Colybita" and "Abietinus"Chiffchaff also present.
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| Classic slate grey plumage, bright green edge to tertials, secondaries and primaries. Centre tail feathers dark black. |
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| The bright white underside on belly, flanks, throat and vent area of tail were very obvious in sunlight |
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| Bright green wing panel shows well here. Buff supercilium and hint of black eye-stripe feature shown well here |
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| Showing well on sewage work fence line |
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| It spent a lot of time flycatching around the fence line scrub |
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| The grey plumage and projection of supercilium behind the eye |
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| Light levels and sunshine really influence appearance of the bird |
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| Looks much duller here in foliage of nearby bushes |
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| One of 6+ Firecrest also present at the disused mill |
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| Common Chiffchaff for comparison |
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