Press Releases - March/April 2007
Item 5

No. 2007/03/31
March 2007

Have you heard the chiff-chaff of a Chiffchaff yet?

The song of the Chiffchaff is a sure sign that spring is here, however in recent years they have been arriving back to their breeding areas later than normal. In 2002 the average arrival date was 8 March. In 2006 it was 22 March, a full two weeks later! So how will they fare in 2007?

By this week in 2002 half of our returning Chiffchaffs were already here, but there has been a distinct lack of chiff and chaff in our countryside so far this year. Have you heard one yet? Will they arrive later than ever this year? Are they already here, or still en route? You can help to answer these questions by submitting your sightings to the online BirdTrack survey (www.birdtrack.net).

Chiffchaff must be one of the most recognizable of our spring migrants, certainly not by plumage, but more by voice. As they sing their name over and over again, their chiff-chaff call is unmistakable and a true sign of spring. Not all will chiff-chaff though, as in Ireland they are called Tiuf-Teaf and in Wales Siff-saff. If you go further afield, you’ll find a Tjifftjaff in the Netherlands and a Zilpzalp in Germany.

Mark Grantham, BirdTrack organizer said, “By submitting your sightings to the BirdTrack survey, you can help us to monitor the arrival of all our spring migrants, and the departure of our winter birds. The survey has been running since 2002 and we have received over 360,000 observations providing us with an up to date picture of migration as it happens.”

Other what-you-hear-is-what-you-see birds to listen out for in the coming weeks include Cuckoo and, if you’re very lucky, a Hoopoe. Cuckoos will generally be arriving in the first two weeks of April. Hoopoes are rare visitors from the continent, and can turn up anywhere along the south coast during the spring months.

To send in your sightings, just log on to www.birdtrack.net and register for free.

MORE?

Notes for Editors

BirdTrack is an online bird recording scheme Notes for Editors

1. BirdTrack is an online bird recording scheme www.birdtrack.net organised by BTO on behalf of BTO, RSPB and BirdWatch Ireland.
2. To register for BirdTrack visit the BirdTrack website (www.birdtrack.net and click on the 'Register for BirdTrack' link). Registering is free.
3. Chiffchaffs are a common summer migrant in the UK, but in the past two years, standard bird ringing has shown a dramatic decline in the number of adult birds caught.
4. Birdwatchers are encouraged to enter their birdwatching lists online to support species and site conservation at local, national and international scales.
5. We need to gather a large number of lists at all times of the year. Complete lists (all species seen and heard) are preferred but incomplete lists and casual records will also help build our understanding of populations.
6. Results produced by BirdTrack will help us to map the migration and movements of birds and monitor scarce birds in Britain and Ireland. Maps are available from for use in publications.
7. Colour photographs. Images of some common migrants are freely available for use in association with this press release. Please contact to request an electronic version. Please quote 2007/03/31
8. Bird Information. For lots of facts and figures about birds go to www.bto.org/birdfacts
9. The BTO has an ISDN line available for radio interviews.
   

For further information please contact:

Mark Grantham on 01842 750050 or email: (during office hours)

Paul Stancliffe on 01842 750050 or e-mail: (during office hours)
or mobile 07845 900559 (anytime)

Grahame Madge
Media Officer, Conservation PR
RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds SG19 2DL
Telephone: +44 (0) 1767 681577 Mobile and out of hours contact: 07702 196902
Pager: 07654 344078
E-mail:

For information about BirdTrack in the Republic of Ireland contact:
Olivia Crowe
BirdWatch Ireland, Rockingham House, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Tel: 353 - 1 - 2819878 Email: