Iberian Chiffchaff in Telford, Shropshire!

With an Iberian Chiffchaff turning up in Lancashire towards the end of our two week trip to Florida, I was hopeful that this individual would stay the course and I’d be able to catch up with this Iberian speciality on my return. Unfortunately however, doubts were quickly raised about its identity – the song appeared untypical of Iberian Chiffchaff once sound recordings taken on site were analysed and it was quickly dismissed as an imposter – sadly, not making the grade.

Luckily however, the UK seems to be experiencing a spring influx of these delightful Mediterranean songsters at present, and after a year’s absence with no records during 2015, there have been a further three additional reports of Iberian Chiffchaffs this past week, with individuals in Coverack in Cornwall, Tresco on Scilly and of course, Telford in Shropshire.

First reported on the Sunday afternoon straight after our 8 hour flight back from Orlando and quickly confirmed as being the real deal, I had no chance of getting down to Shropshire until a week later, where thankfully this Mediterranean speciality had set up territory in a patch of woodland, often showing well and calling frequently.

The Iberian Chiffchaff in Telford, Shropshire

After a leisurely lie-in on the Saturday morning, we made our way down to where the bird had set up territory just off Granville Road in Telford (TF2 7NB) for the early afternoon, wholly expecting it to be in full song when we arrived and showing well in the now glorious sunshine (it had apparently snowed that morning!). Sadly however, it didn’t pan out that way, and we endured a painstaking 2 hours staring at a group of trees in the freezing cold (the warmth of the sun had completely vanished to be replaced by menacing looking rainclouds and a chilling breeze) where the bird only called once distantly! Starting to worry, it was a relief therefore when we heard the distinctive call further around the corner, and heading over that way with the group of assembled birders following, Alex eventually tracked down this subtle warbler, calling just a few feet in front of us low down in the branches and showing well.

For the next ten minutes or so we followed our target through the trees as it worked its way along the hedgerow, often perching in full view and treating us to blasts of now familiar song. Sounding the initial first notes of “chiff chiff chiff”, this was quickly followed by a warbling variation, much different to any of the Chiffchaffs or Willow Warblers that were also present on site that had been singing throughout the afternoon, and unlike several recent birds in West Sussex and Cambridgeshire a few years back (and possibly the Lancashire bird) it was also quite clear that this was not a mixed singer. While every time I pressed record on my camera to try and capture the call the Chiffchaff seemed to go mute (typical!), Alex managed to get an excellent video of the song, illustrated below:

Formerly treated as just a race of Common Chiffchaff in the past, Iberian Chiffchaffs were recognised as a separate species by the BOU 18 years ago due to a range of differences, including vocalisation, morphology and genetics. Indeed, as well as the call, there were slight variations in the plumage that while subtle, were still noticeable in the field at Telford. The bill was slightly longer than a Common Chiffchaff with a much paler lower mandible, while the legs were much lighter, appearing to be an intermediate shade somewhere in between Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers. The plumage was also a brighter green than a Common Chiffchaff, often looking a grey-olive colour, while there was a yellowish wash to the head, cheeks and extensive supercilium, again more so than you would expect to see on a Common Chiffchaff. Studying the photos of the bird later at home, I could also clearly see the indistinct and broken eye-ring that is limited to just the lower edge of the eye – another pro Iberian Chiffchaff feature.

The broken eye-ring on the lower edge of the eye is clearly visible, as is the yellowish colouration of the head and breast

With only 37 accepted records in Britain, this is a bird I have been wanting to catch up with in the UK for a while, having missed the last local bird in Blackpool back in May 2011. With the vast majority of records occurring in the last 10 years however (25 out of the accepted 37), Iberian Chiffchaff has fast turned from what was once a mega rarity in to a now nearly annual expected spring overshoot, with small influxes like this occurring in several of the past recent years.

With the finer plumage details matching up and the call (which has been recorded and sonagramed) spot on for Iberian Chiffchaff, there is no doubting the ID in my opinion, with this individual being the real deal. It was great to enjoy hearing him sing prolifically and show so well for us – a great addition to my British list after seeing a pair in Spain two years ago and a fantastic bird to hear in person. 

Southern Spain Trip Report - Day 3

Day 3 - Thursday 14th August 2015

Awaking exceptionally early and still bleary eyed as we travelled along the quiet Spanish back roads in the inky darkness, we headed towards a local site for Red-necked Nightjars. Not too far from Manilva, this is a great location for the species and nightjars are often seen sat on the many dusty tracks that wind their way through the heathland. Larger than our European Nightjars and with a distinct rusty orange patch on the back of the neck, Red-necked Nightjar was another key target of the trip and one that I was especially keen to see.

With dawn starting to break as we drove up the hill towards the site, the abandoned apartments looked especially eerie in the darkness and definitely made us glad we were in a vehicle! Mediterranean warblers welcomed the morning, with snatches of beautiful song coming from the many Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers perched on the heather. A smart male Woodchat Shrike sat on the gorse also provided great views as we drove slowly by.

With the light now rapidly approaching and the area now illuminated by the early morning sunshine, I was slightly sceptical as to whether the nightjars would still be active, and sure enough the only sighting we had that morning was a possible fly-by seen by Alex in one of the small heather clearings.

With the morning now well and truly upon us we admitted defeat (though not before Alex and Chris had managed to get themselves stuck on a steep slope!) and with the day still ahead of us we decided to make our way down to Tarifa where a pair of Common Bulbuls were nesting for their second year. Normally found in Africa, the pair had made the jump to the European mainland, and with successful breeding in both 2013 and 2014, it is looking like these pioneering individuals may slowly start to colonise the southern tip of Spain.

Arriving at the woodland track in question, we made our way down the path towards the houses where the birds had been nesting. With the surrounding trees clearly rich in birdlife, we enjoyed several Spotted Flycatchers perched on the fence, before an odd looking Chiffchaff caught our attention. Showing a bright yellow supercilium in front of the eye we watched as it was joined by a second bird, both with particularly yellow breasts and white bellies.

With Common Chiffchaffs only wintering in southern Spain, there was no question that these birds were the closely related Iberian Chiffchaff. Formerly treated as just a race of Chiffchaff in the past, Iberian Chiffchaffs were recently split due to a range of differences including vocalisations, morphology and genetics.

Another brown warbler caught our eye in one of the opposite trees, and watching carefully we were intrigued to see it had an especially long bill. With pale lores and an exceptionally broad, heavy bill, we soon realised we were watching a Western Olivaceous Warbler! Found only in southern Spain and North Africa, this was a great bird to catch up with so early in to the trip – our planned sites for this species were nearer to Seville.

Pleased with this surprised addition to our trip list, we headed off down the track in search of the Bulbuls, the heat of the southern Spanish sun now really starting to kick in as the temperatures soared. An obliging male Woodchat Shrike sat on the wires for us to admire, while the thick spiny plants and cacti highlighted the dry and arid conditions of the area. Keeping our eyes peeled, we scanned the gardens adjacent to the houses, but after a long wait with no sign of the Bulbuls, we decided to head back and carry on to our next site.

Woodchat Shrike - photo by Alex Jones

Driving down to Tarifa, the locality’s fame as a raptor migration hotspot was clear to see, with a fantastic number of Black Kites, Booted Eagles, Short-toed Eagles and Griffon Vultures all seen making their way across the perfect blue skies. With Africa visible from the coast, we were rewarded with great views of this magnificent continent looming across the sea - where the raptors would ultimately be travelling to.

Africa!

Getting out of the car in the small car park at Playa de los Lances, Alex immediately shouted “Little Swift!” Looking up, a small swift was quickly flying just above head height, the small white square rump clear to see, before it zoomed off over the road and out of view. Completely out of the blue and not expecting to see any this trip due to not visiting any of the breeding sites, this was a fantastic spot by Alex! Whilst not a lifer for the three of us after catching up with the New Brighton bird back in 2012, this now meant that we had seen all 5 species of swift on the trip!

Little Swift from New Brighton, UK in 2012

The beach at La Playa de los Lances

Heading towards the hide to check the beach for terns, several Kentish Plovers could be seen on the sand, their paler markings, longer legs and smaller size distinguishing them from Ringed and Little ringed Plovers. With the beach quite busy with surfers, kite-flyers and walkers and with no terns present at all, my attention was turned to the many Fiddler Crabs scuttling around on the sand in front of us. With one claw bigger than the other, it was fascinating to watch as they fought between themselves and defended their burrows!

Fiddler Crab

Crossing the marshy area towards a large stream cutting through the sand, Chris picked out a Short-toed Lark foraging amongst the grass. Having only seen Lesser Short-toed Lark before in northern Spain, it was great to finally catch up with this closely related species. Distinguished from Lesser Short-toed Larks by the unmarked chest and breast as opposed to the well streaked breasts of the Lesser Short-toed Larks, Greaters are also much more rufous and yellow in colouration, with a dark patch on the side of the breast.

Marshy area near the beach

I watched it feeding amongst the grass for some time before seeing what else the vegetation had to offer, however a Kingfisher streaking past down the stream like a lightning bolt of electric blue and a very close Kentish Plover by the side of a small pool were the only other birds of note.

Kentish Plover - photo by Alex Jones

Dung fight.....

...where Chris came off worse

Deciding to head back to the apartment ready for a dusk return to Manilva and another crack at the Red-necked Nightjars, Chris refuelled with one of his absolutely vile (non)microwaveable pizzas before the three of us headed back to the heathland of that morning. Re-analysing the grid reference I realised that we hadn’t gone far enough down the track this morning, having only stopped at the bridge crossing the busy road below. Continuing down the track, it was immediately clear that this was much better habitat for Red-necked Nightjars, the rocky terrain, boulder strewn track, thick heathland and tall pine trees ideal habitat and reminiscent of the heaths I’ve seen Nightjars displaying in back in Britain.

Chris's vile pizza....

Arriving at a likely area with good open views either side we parked up and scanned the horizon for any dark silhouettes crossing the skyline in front of us. With darkness starting to close in and dusk approaching, the sound of the various warblers’ last songs before roosting filled our ears. Then, as I turned, a large dark shape swooped past the three of us though the warm evening sky just a few metres away, the wings and size unmistakeable as our first Red-necked Nightjar! Barely above the heather, it glided silently along before being enveloped in the darkness and lost to view. 

Ecstatic and wanting further views of these amazing birds, we waited until night had completely fallen before getting back in the car and heading along the dusty track to search for more nightjar activity. Now in complete darkness and with an absence of any street lighting or the glow of nearby civilisations, we drove carefully and slowly along the narrow road, our headlights on full beam to illuminate the route.

Spotting something glowing in the distance that reminded me of a cat’s eye in torchlight, I squinted through my binoculars trying to make out a shape in the darkness. Certain I was looking at a perched Red-necked Nightjar, I alerted the others, confident I had seen the tail moving. With Chris reckoning it wasn’t even alive and merely part of the tree, the three of us kept our focus and sure enough the bird took off from the branches and hovered gracefully in the air, before alighting back down amongst the dusty boulders on the track ahead. Now fully illuminated by our car’s headlights, we could clearly see the bird right in front of us, it’s absolutely huge saucer-like eyes shining in the bright light. Hovering and flapping above the track at regular intervals, we watched awestruck, the larger size apparent compared to European Nightjars and just managing to make out the rusty red neck when on the floor through the binoculars.

Reaching down to get my camera, I looked up again only to find the bird had gone, slipping away in to the darkness unnoticed.

Heading back along the rocky tracks happy and relieved that we had managed to connect with the Nightjars, the headlights illuminated a scorpion species in the sand – my first ever one in the wild – although further investigation sadly revealed it had vanished when we stopped to get a better look. With several feral dogs barking at the car on the way down to the town, we were again glad to be in the safety of a vehicle, and we returned to the apartment for our final night before heading further west towards Jerez and Seville.