Chiffchaff

The first half of this year was amongst the worst on record for invertebrates.

Poor too for the food chains that are built around an invertebrate diet.

Juvenile chiffchaff

Even poorer for cup-nesting birds, particularly ground nesters as the rains came down. Without the protection of a tree hole or nest box, they were at risk of nests being waterlogged and failing.

It is heartening then to hear the contact calls of juvenile chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus collybita). Ubiquitous. They seem to have had a good year.

Flighty. Difficult subjects for the point-and-click amateur photographer as this photo demonstrates…

But successful in 2024.