Re: Warbler or Chiff Caff ??

Bjbear.  I think it is a chiffchaff but always find these 2 difficult.  I am making a comment in order that it doesnt disappear and you will hopefully get other opinions.

Actually, it looks like a female Blackcap to me!! See it's little brown cap?

Legs look darkish so I'd go with Chiffchaff too!

I was having the very same problem over the weekend.  Good luck

Chiffchaff I would say.  Here's a link.

www.flickr.com/.../72157623871990349

I usually go off the song.  But in this case the distinct cresent under the eye is the clue.

Yes, Chiffchaff (which is a warbler!).

A combination of subtle features all combine together to help with the identification:

-The eye ring is only obvious below the eye, contrasting with dark cheeks.

-The wings appear relatively short (though very difficult to judge from this angle).

-The supercilium, although quite long, is not particularly distinct.

-The legs are dark.

-The overall appearance is of a relatively 'dingy' birds without clean white underparts or any obvious yellow.

Lovely little visitor. Well caught

Legs aren't a positive feature...

Also, always use more than one feature. Especially if that feature is a variable one.

Willow Warbler taken Yesterday.  

This is a cartoon I drew (years ago) about the perils of relying on just one identification feature:

God Save The Queen! :-)