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