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Mar 2018
9:33am, 27 Mar 2018
1,098 posts
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J2R
DT, flyingfinn: How much 'revving up' does a chiffchaff need? They're not exactly nightingales. Could these be just chiffs at this stage? 
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Mar 2018
11:21am, 27 Mar 2018
25,463 posts
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Derby Tup
They seem to get stuck on the chiff phrase and sound therefore more like chiffchiffs who lack stamina than chiffchaffs. I think they’re either clearing their throats, rehearsing or simply trying to remember what they’re supposed to do
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Mar 2018
11:22am, 27 Mar 2018
1,099 posts
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J2R
Next up, hearing the first cuck in spring.
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Mar 2018
6:45pm, 27 Mar 2018
993 posts
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flyingfinn
Lots of very revved up Chiffchaffs heard and seen today. Went up to Langford Lowfields near Newark and saw a real mix of winter and spring. In addition to the Chiffchaffs there were Cettis and Skylarks singing, plus plenty of Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings in their smartest plummages. But also saw 19 Whooper (which landed in a field less than 50m away), a large flock of Fieldfare, 4 Smew (1m, 3f) and sizeable contingents of Goldfinch and Linnets still in their winter flocks. Also had a Water Rail calling but couldn't spot it. Highlight of the 59 species though was a beautiful Barn Owl which we watched at close quarters for the best part of 30 mins
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Mar 2018
7:43pm, 27 Mar 2018
25,464 posts
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Derby Tup
Sounds ace ff. I’ve never seen a smew
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Mar 2018
8:45pm, 27 Mar 2018
1,100 posts
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J2R
Top day out, flyingfinn! Interesting summer/winter blend. That was one of the interesting things about the siskins on my feeder a couple of days ago - a bird I only ever see in winter (in the garden), but in a male/female pair, not a flock.
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Mar 2018
9:05pm, 27 Mar 2018
994 posts
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flyingfinn
Smew was a new one for me too DT. Quite a pretty little duck. The male in particular was quite a smart fellow.
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Mar 2018
9:44pm, 27 Mar 2018
25,468 posts
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Derby Tup
Chris Peckham / Packham has a skew tattoo iirc
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Mar 2018
10:31pm, 27 Mar 2018
1,934 posts
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jacdaw
I've never knowingly seen a smew.
Good view of a male black grouse yesterday.
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Mar 2018
9:43am, 28 Mar 2018
2,913 posts
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Fragile Do Not Bend
I’ve seen a smew, but I can’t remember when or where (apart from it being a few years ago). I’m a bad birdwatcher. 😅
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