Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Wood Warbler in Edinburgh

Wood Warbler giving shiver-song in Duddingston yesterday

I have managed to photograph these three species of Phylloscopus (leaf-searching) warbler in Edinburgh over the last few days. Of course, the Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff are common in the wooded and scrubby parts of the city at this time of year. Yesterday's Wood Warbler was a little more unexpected. Singing birds are no problem to identify - as Gilbert White famously noted in describing the three species as Laughing Willow-wren, Chif-chaf and Shivering Wilow-wren.

Yesterday's Wood Warbler showing off its primary projection and yellow throat

A Willow Warbler at Duddingston yesterday had the pale washed out appearance of a more northerly bird. Long primary projection obscured...

Note short primary projection compared to tertial length on this Chiffchaff photographed at Blackford Pond

Pale eye ring, dusky cheek and (in life) tail dipping behaviour all good Chiffchaff features

December Chiffchaff in the Figgate Park

I don't often see Chiffchaffs in the winter months up here in Edinburgh and when I do I am always hoping for a Siberian Chiffchaff rather than a Common Chiffchaff. Today's bird at Figgate Park did not call, but looks spot on for a Common. Despite a hint of a wingbar, the olive and yellow tones in the plumage combined with the bespectacled look and lack of jet black bare parts all combine to give the familiar look of the regular form. Wonder where this bird is from - a local breeder or a Continental bird?... Wherever it was an energetic little sprite rarely  still for more than a second.