Siberian Chiffchaff

Saturday 31st January 2015
Siberian Chiffchaff, Shorncote
Heading for Shorncote, conditions weren't promising on a cold, dull, windy, rainy Saturday morning. However, the Siberian Chiffchaff seemed unperturbed and I found it quite quickly after sifting through the other Chiffchaffs present (I counted 10 common in all). The Sibe really stands out and is a text book example.
A classic Sibe, and very different from the other Chiffys present
Also here were three Cetti's Warblers showing occasionally, and two Water Rails were calling.
Shorncote
I went to WWT Slimbridge later for Mya-Rose Craig's talk, which was fascinating. The furthest I had been by the age of 12 was Bigbury-on-Sea. Mike Dilger's talk on Sunday was also excellent. I still haven't caught up with the Pink-foot, but the two Water Rails were showing very well at the Willow Hide, and the Bank Voles are still providing entertainment near the tunnel entrance.
This Water Rail posed nicely at the Willow Hide, WWT
A pair of Oystercatchers at South Lake were my first of the year.
Oystercatcher, WWT Slimbridge
View over the Tack Piece towards the river and May Hill, from the WWT Sloane Tower

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