Sahara or Sewage Works?

The repetitive song of the Chiffchaff is an indication that the first of Roundball Wood's Summer visitors has arrived.  The Chiffchaff is a bird of mature woodland with good undergrowth, and is one of Roundball's breeding birds. Because of its small size and olive colouring, it is a bird that is easily overlooked when not singing. However it is common across the county, with Devon holding a large population of between 20,000 to 25,000. 

Chiffchaffs despite their small size are long distance migrants. Many overwinter in Africa, West of the Sahara. Those now singing in our woods and surrounding hedges arrived in late March and may well have set off on their journey back from Africa in February, stopping off on route to rest and feed up for the journey. 

In the past few years more and more Chiffchaffs have been over-wintering in the County. Being insectivorous they need a consistent supply of insects to keep them going in winter months. The places where there is a guaranteed all year round supply, are sewage works, and it is where you are likely to find the Chiffchaffs which overwinter.  Roundball Warden has watched Chiffchaffs in mid-winter making the most of the rich pickings of flies that only sewage can offer. Kilmington and Branscombe works being favourite spots. 

Whether our birds spend the winter across the Sahara or across Branscombe sewage works, has yet to be established. Surviving a Devon winter or a long distance migration makes this a very special small bird.