Dermot Breen's Blog: Siberian Chiffchaffs, Ballyconneely area, Nov 16.

Saturday, 12 November 2016

Siberian Chiffchaffs, Ballyconneely area, Nov 16.

A couple of shots of two different Siberian Chiffchaffs from the Slyne Head/Ballconneely area recently. Thankfully both birds were heard calling especially the bird near Ballyconneely village.
Both matched this bird recorded calling in Russia perfectly. http://www.xeno-canto.org/339799. Most of the previous birds out here seemed very reluctant to call confirming the identification. I have a recording of the village bird but couldn't upload it onto to Xeno Canto as it in WAV format.
The bird near the village on the 7th November was mainly in Willows that still largely have their foliage. It kept company with a typically calling Common Chiffchaff and also another Common Chiffchaff giving the "sweo" call http://www.xeno-canto.org/342033. I revisited the area again today and there were two Siberian Chiffchaffs with possibly four Common Chiffchaffs in the exact same spot, I wonder if they are going to overwinter. This is adjacent to Murlach and immediately East of Murlach Mooring holiday homes.
There were at least 32 Siberian Chiffchaffs recorded in Ireland during October. They were probably more numerous than scarce warblers such as Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler, etc.
The Red-breasted Flycatcher was again present in the Trident Garden also.