Bloody chiffchaffs

I had two individuals amongst eight Chiffchaffs down at Slyne Head yesterday that are most likely Siberian Chiffchaffs. Both were a lovely pallid milk-tea colour on the upperparts, very light buff underparts (no yellow streaking) with olive tones confined to just the wing and tail feathers. The only obvious yellow on the plumage was at the bend of the wing and underwing. Both also showed warm buff/rusty tones to the sides of the flanks and around the cheeks. Bird no. 1 differed really only in it's supercillium compared to bird no. 2. To my eyes bird no.1 showed slightly more yellow tones, another person might describe this as buff, I'm not sure. The birds appearances could change significantly depending on light. The first bird was photographed in very overcast light conditions inside a large Sycamore tree while the second was photographed in similar conditions but also sitting out in the open in evening light.

So while both looked like the part here's the bite. Bird no. 1 was heard calling several times and gave the typical hweet call of a nominate collybita Chiffchaff. There were three other collybita Chiffchaffs present in the same garden. It was never heard to give the mournful peep call of tristis even when playback was used. Bird no. 2 was never heard giving any call even with playback of both races. I probably spent the guts of two hours staying with both birds waiting for the expected calls which never came. So there you go, what to do??

Bird 1

Bird 1

Bird 1

Bird 1

Bird 1

Bird 1

Bird 1

Bird 1

Bird 2

Bird 2

Bird 2

Bird 2

Bird 2

Bird 2

Bird 2

Bird 2