It was a slightly pathetic song; less a ‘chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff’ than a hesitant ‘Chiff-ummm- chaff-chaff-chiff-chaff’ but it was a Chiffchaff, not for example a Great Tit (some of whom can do a proper Chiff-chaff song very well) because although there was a nearby Great Tit I could see the Chiffchaff open its mouth when the song came out.
So – it’s spring.
I’m hoping I might see some signs of spring in north Wales in the next couple of days. I wonder whether I will.
[registration_form]
Yes, first solitary bees now out here in south Devon so it must be spring.
I saw a colony of active Clark’s Mining Bees (Andrena clarkella) on the 9 March, North Shropshire.
Apr. 3. The chif-chaf, the smallest uncrested wren is heard in the Hanger, & Long Lythe. They are usually heard about the 21 of March. These birds, no bigger than a man’s thumb, fetch an echo out of the hanger at every note.
[Gilbert White’s journal for 1791]
Well done and of course very nice to hear.
Five Chiffchaffs at Nosterfield Quarry today, 3 singing and two others feeding frantically, perhaps they are going further north. Our first year male Smew seems to have gone so perhaps it is spring.
Pair of very vocal great tits visiting the garden at the weekend, and the lone pied wagtail we had all winter now seems to have become a pair.
Anyway the buddleia have just had their annual haircut so it must be spring.
Snap! 12 March was the first time I first heard and saw a Chaffinch this year. Then even better, further along, what should be sitting on a post, but a Wheatear. Spring has sprung.