Tuesday 4 April 2017

Song for Today



The musical accompaniment to today's walk was provided principally by Blackbirds and Chiffchaffs. The Chiffchaff provided a high-pitched ostinato accompaniment to the relaxed creativity of one particular Blackbird, an effective combination. Chiffchaffs appear before their near-identical cousins the Willow Warblers whose song I've yet to hear. When it comes it's far superior though still repetitive. The reason for the Chiffchaff getting here earlier may possibly be that it hasn't had to come quite so far. Some of the chaffs winter in parts of North Africa, Europe, or even Southern England while Willow Warblers often go as far as sub Saharan regions. The persistence of the song indicates that it's a determinedly territorial bird.


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