A very confiding Chiffchaff ........

.... paused for a few seconds on a nearby twig for just long enough for me to rattle off a few images before it flitted away back on its journey.

We seem to have a lot of Chiffchaffs on the reserve this year.

We also have good numbers of Willow Warblers which brings me to the question of identification, its not foolproof but I tend to go on leg colour, black for Chiffchaffs and pink for Willow Warblers. 

Another Chiffchaff ........

Normally I try to avoid reeds and vegetation in front of birds as they generally detract from the subject. 

However in this case I think the colour and angle of the reeds compliment the image and contribute to the feel of the overall setting and background habitat  of the photograph.

Overall focus of the bird is consistent from its beak to the tip of its tail and the black legs in the fore are also very well defined.

For me, a very pleasing result, I don't get it right very often.

Chiffchaff

I don't recall as many Chiffchaffs on the reserve as we have this year, they seem to be everywhere.

Similarly we seem to have attracted more Nightingales than usual.

The corner of the reserve where they are traditionally found  I call '' Nightingale corner '' - ( see map of the reserve in the '' pages '' section of the blog ) which has two or three birds this year however another bird is to be found near the Kirby hide opposite the Elinor fishery and a further bird near the bench overlooking Aldwincle lake.

( It still doesn't make Nightingales any easier to see or photograph ! ).

Down to earth Chiffchaff at Titchmarsh LNR.

It's very satisfying to photograph a Chiffchaff down at ground level, in this case in the rough at the side of the reed beds from the South hide at TLNR, normally they are distantly seen fluttering around in the canopy.

And what a tidy little bird this is giving good eye contact whilst bathed in late afternoon sunlight.

Summer migrants are now returning to the reserve in some numbers with Sedge warblers and Blackcaps heard and seen today ....... bring on the Reed Warblers.

Chiff Chaff - Chiff Chaff - Chiff Chaff ........ am I repeating myself ?, the bird does .....

Out and about yesterday good numbers of Chiffchaffs were in evidence both visually and vocally.

What smart, clean, birds they are as they hover and flit around the vegetation.

The next couple of weeks should increasingly see the return of our other summer migrant warblers too, can't wait.