Abington Naturewatch: Warblers on the Old Railway Cutting

Wednesday, 22 May 2019

Warblers on the Old Railway Cutting

Andy M took a walk along the Old Railway Cutting early on Sunday morning - in the mist! It didn't stop the birds singing though - he was very happy to both see and hear a good variety of Warblers and other birds there - all within the Abington parish!

Warblers included at least two Chiffchaff still singing, 2-3 Blackcap mostly feeding, only occasionally singing, at least two Willow Warbler both singing from high up in the treetops,

one Common Whitethroat singing and making display flights from the thick hedge, and a Lesser Whitethroat flitting between 'song posts' within the hedge on the Hildersham boundary.

Also Corn Bunting - 1 singing from the tree tops, which he also saw drop down into the field, so I suspect it has a nest there, and a Swallow flying low over the field feeding.

He took some photos of the Willow Warbler, which look very similar to Chiffchaff, but are easily told apart by their songs, which this one was very obligingly doing. Close-up, the Willow Warbler also has slightly longer wings and lighter brown legs than the Chiffchaff (allegedly!).

Willow Warbler - note paler brown legs

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler - note long primary wing feathers

Willow Warbler

Chiffchaff - also on the Old Railway Cutting, but on a different day

Note darker legs and shorter wing tips

No comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)