Chiffy Galore

Chiffchaff have certainly arrived on inward migration in some numbers now in Dorset. I observed a small group of five along side a river. They were pitched in bramble bushes and flying out over the water catching flies and returning back to another or the same perch. This is the second group I have seen in the last few days.

When I returned later to that location the birds had moved on.

Chiffchaff Arriving

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned observing a Chiffchaff that had been sighted on more than one occasion on my Lockdown walk adjacent to a bridge. 

This would have been a resident bird that remained during Winter.

I have visited the bridge this week and there is still a Chiffchaff there, most likely the one I have seen before. However, he has now been joined by four more Chiffchaff that are most likely returning migrants from their Winter holidays in warmer climes.

Resident Bird

Below are two of the returning birds mentioned. You can observe the dark crusts above their beaks, which from what I have read in the past is due to eating fruit en route during their return migration. 

Perched at the side of the river, all the birds spent most of their time flying out over the water catching insects, mostly Mayflies.

In this sequence of shots below you can just see the mayfly as its being pursued and caught by the Chiffchaff.

In the shots below you can clearly see the fruit crust above the birds beak.

Lockdown Walk - Extended

During this Lockdown walk I went further into my Summer Country walk.

I was able to get close to this Little Egret as it was fishing in a small tributary to the local river. This involved poking my lens through a hedgerow.

Male Dunnocks are now singing loud and clear from open perches, a sign of Spring to come.

More agricultural activity. 

This involved sowing wheat seed with a drag harrow and seed sower.

The Gulls may be thinning out the seed somewhat.

I am still not able to get close to Grey Wagtail this year as yet.

I have certainly observed quite a few already, but nothing close.

Even the Bullfinch are not being that helpful and only briefly showing.

You can hide Mrs Stonechat, but I have already photographed you the other day.

On a good note, the Yellowhammers are getting closer.

The Cock Pheasant didn't hang around for long though.