Chiffchaff showing characteristics of the race tristis, Rye Meads, Herts. 14 November 1999 to 18 December 1999, by Paul Roper.

This bird was first located on 14 November 1999 by Mike Pollard, who was attracted by the loud and distinctive call, which he likened to the call of a Coot chick. Although obviously a Chiffchaff, MP was struck by the washed out appearance of the bird (lacking in green or yellow), with pale greyish-brown upperparts and pale underparts. The supercilium was prominent and there was noticeable pale edging to the greater coverts. On 24 November 1999 Paul Collins relocated it, again on call. It was also seen and heard that day by Paul Roper and Alan Harris. The call was a short, sharp and strident 'shree' with an upward inflection, repeated every other second for up to a minute. There was a notable urgency to the call, with almost an element of distress to it. On 27 November 1999 we managed to mist net it and take a detailed description. (Ring no. 3M1631) On 18 December 1999 it was retrapped and photographed. This proved to be the last sighting.

In the hand description.

Generally as nominate Chiffchaff P.c.collybita but basically without yellow or green. Upperparts including head greyish-buff and pallid. The supercilium was thin but distinct, buffish and long, extending along to the end of the ear coverts, strongest before the eye. This was emphasised by the blackish lore and dark eyestripe. Feathered eye-ring not prominent and broken by the eyestripe in front and behind the eye, buff above (concolorous with supercilium) and thin and whitish below. Ear coverts warm, buffy. Upperparts greyish-buff with a hint of green to lower back, rump, edges to remiges and (barely) on median coverts. Greater coverts greyish, faint diffuse wingbar to outer greater coverts. Marginal coverts pale lemon. Underparts, no yellow at all. Buff-beige to throat, breast, silvery-white to belly. Flanks buffish, undertail coverts off white-buff, with the faintest hint of lemon to vent. The bill was black, the cutting edges were marginally paler horn as was the extreme base of the lower mandible, (although this only visible from below). The overall appearance of the bill was completely dark. The legs and feet were exceptionally black for a Chiffchaff, feet with lemon soles. The bird was aged as an adult on tail shape. Half the tail had recently been lost. There was some moult on the crown.

'Tristis' Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita tristis Photos one, two and three, Rye Meads, by Paul Roper/Gary Gardiner, 54kb, 38kb and 46kb.

Andrew Middleton, London, UK acmiddleton@blueyonder.co.uk ~ site index