Have you heard a chiffchaff this week?

Martin Hughes-Games | 16:17 UK time, Friday, 2 October 2009

I was up at 6.30 this morning and there was a wonderful, uplifting, dawn chorus going on - but, hang on... dawn chorus in autumn? Have you heard birds actually singing recently? In particular have you heard the chiffchaff's characteristic song? (To remind yourself of the song click on the play button on the RSPB web page).

If you have heard a chiff chaff, specifically this week, could you please let me know by posting a comment below?

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Comments

1. At 8:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, ellana2 wrote:
Yes I did! I've heard one in the woods at the back of my house a couple of times this week, for the first time since late spring.

On the Mendips btw, if location's important.

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2. At 8:16pm on 02 Oct 2009, Belvoirbirder wrote:
Yes, twice in slightly different locations about half a mile apart (same bird?) South East of Nottingham.

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3. At 8:48pm on 02 Oct 2009, steelpurplelavender wrote:
no chiffchaffs but i have noticed collard doves are still mating

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4. At 9:44pm on 02 Oct 2009, brumiecop wrote:
I live in Ledbury, Herefordshire, and I heard a chiff chaff very clearly on Sun. 27th Sept, along the disusued railway line footpath - I was amazed to hear it so late - aren't they meant to be back home in Africa?

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5. At 9:51pm on 02 Oct 2009, keletkezes wrote:
Yes, while walking through Nottingham University Park on Wednesday morning. Didn't think much of it until now!

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6. At 9:51pm on 02 Oct 2009, Wildlife Filmer Adam wrote:

When it's been a bit sunnyish over the few days I've heard it, but never new it was a Chiffchaff, as Kate also didn't think anything of it.

I'm normally very good with bird song.

Adam L Canning

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7. At 9:51pm on 02 Oct 2009, RaptorFan wrote:
I, too, have heard Chiff-Chaffs singing in my corner of East Sussex. Firstly, outside my home in Eastbourne's Old Town and secondly on the playground of the school where I teach in Bexhill-on-Sea. Both within the last seven days.

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8. At 9:52pm on 02 Oct 2009, grebelet wrote:
at the London wetlands centre last weekend there were loads of chiffchaffs and quite a few were singing. last year several over-wintered there.

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9. At 9:52pm on 02 Oct 2009, ThatchamHogRescue wrote:
Yes here in West Berkshire too. Day before yesterday.

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10. At 9:52pm on 02 Oct 2009, catseyescomplete wrote:
Still been hearing them all over the place here in North Kent.

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11. At 9:52pm on 02 Oct 2009, Wildlife Filmer Adam wrote:
*In South West Birmingham

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12. At 9:52pm on 02 Oct 2009, Hockeyaholic_KD wrote:
I heard a Chiff-chaff last weekend at Attenborough Nature Reserve in Nottingham - it's one of few bird songs I recognise but didn't think it was an odd thing to hear at this time of year. Interesting to know :)

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13. At 9:53pm on 02 Oct 2009, lisabirmingham wrote:
We have heard Chiff-chaff in Stafford this for the past few weeks! Spring is here again!

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14. At 9:53pm on 02 Oct 2009, Fenskem wrote:
Hi yes, I heard one yesterday in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.

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15. At 9:53pm on 02 Oct 2009, gilmourtowers wrote:
I think I heard a chiffchaff in my garden the last two days, but can't be sure. Certainly a bird I haven't heard before. Unusual. South Gloucestershire.

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16. At 9:53pm on 02 Oct 2009, Mulberryhouse wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff this week whilst walking my dog near local woods.

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17. At 9:54pm on 02 Oct 2009, groovywinger wrote:
Plenty of Chiffchaff song in south Somerset in the past two weeks. Birds very active, and very visible (close to the house).

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18. At 9:54pm on 02 Oct 2009, -Peregrine-Falcon- wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff today in Tesco's carpark in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. My mother has also heard a chiffchaff in Ledbury 2 days ago

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19. At 9:55pm on 02 Oct 2009, mark50d wrote:
Good to see I was not alone. Here in Great Missenden (South Bucks) I have heard the ChiffChaff song several times over the last couple of weeks. Strange, it is that song I love when it normally heralds the start of Spring :-)

-mark

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20. At 9:55pm on 02 Oct 2009, dolphins64 wrote:
HELLO ITS LEANNE KEATES HERE IN KINGSTON DEVON WE HAVE A ""chiffchaff"" OUTSIDE OUR FRONT DOOR I HEAR IT EVERY MORNING ITS LOVELY TO HEAR IT

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21. At 9:55pm on 02 Oct 2009, miloroly wrote:
Chiffchaff heard this morning in Alice Holt forest, Surrey/Hants border

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22. At 9:55pm on 02 Oct 2009, dlayland wrote:
Yes, heard this week. A common visitor to our garden in Edingale on the edge of the National Forest. We see our chiffchaff flitting around the trees in the garden looking for insects or maybe spiders - and chasing off the resident bluetits too. Pics from a couple of weeks ago on our flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxinelayland/3845284170/

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23. At 9:55pm on 02 Oct 2009, penmin wrote:
Yes I heard a Chiff Chaff at home yesterday morning and one at work (4 miles away)...they've been around for a while still...area is near Wrexham North Wales.

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24. At 9:55pm on 02 Oct 2009, houseofmabel wrote:
Several have been singing around the Sneinton area of Nottingham for the past couple of weeks - as of yesterday there was one on the Mounts area, and one on the park further down Carlton Road.

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25. At 9:55pm on 02 Oct 2009, Caelitha wrote:
We've been hearing chiff-chaffs in our local wood near Sheffield since March - and last year, we heard them until the middle of November!

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26. At 9:56pm on 02 Oct 2009, Melinda3536 wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff two or three days ago in the afternoon in Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent, in some mature trees in the suburbs, not far from farmland.

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27. At 9:56pm on 02 Oct 2009, sallyb52 wrote:
My husband Dick heard heard a chiff sing this morning in Langton Matravers, Purbeck,Dorset

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28. At 9:56pm on 02 Oct 2009, lilla_shaw wrote:
I heard one in south Bristol a few days ago and thought I was hearing things - never heard one this late in the year before!

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29. At 9:56pm on 02 Oct 2009, reallyquickbrownfox wrote:
Chiffchaff heard in Hailsham, East Sussex last Saturday and Sunday. I'm glad I'm not the only one to think this strange.

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30. At 9:56pm on 02 Oct 2009, GladisGlad wrote:
I live near Alton in Hampshire and have heard the Chiff Chaff frequently in the last month which is strange because I thought they migrated at the end of July

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31. At 9:56pm on 02 Oct 2009, Ripleyboy wrote:
Last weekend in our garden - rural Dorset/Hampshire borders (near Burley). We also have a willow warbler in the garden - he's been here daily for months - thought they should have headed back to sunny South about now....?

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32. At 9:56pm on 02 Oct 2009, Werdnal wrote:
Interested to hear you talking about Chiff-chaffs as my hubby only said a couple days ago, he heard one outside last weekend. We are in Cornwall.

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33. At 9:57pm on 02 Oct 2009, aswatson wrote:
Heard a chiffchaff in the garden here in Winchester on Monday this week. Also observed one yesterday in the Acer Drumondii in the garden feeding on insects from the underside of leaves. Didn't hear it because I was inside the house at the time but it was definitely a chiffchaff.

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34. At 9:57pm on 02 Oct 2009, mamminiog wrote:
My daughter heard and saw one in the WWT in Llanelli at the end of last week, very surprising but a lovely surprise.

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35. At 9:58pm on 02 Oct 2009, pwithers wrote:
We had one last weekend outside our house singing which I have not noticed before in spring or summer also? Worcestershire.

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36. At 9:58pm on 02 Oct 2009, seaottersrule wrote:
yes, walking by the river at Witney (oxfordshire) Tuesday morning.

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37. At 9:58pm on 02 Oct 2009, marshallnmandy wrote:
We ahve heard a Chiffcaf most day for the last 2 weeks.

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38. At 9:58pm on 02 Oct 2009, NatureWatchCM wrote:
Yes, I heard (and saw) a chiffchaff in our garden this week in Corfe Mullen, Dorset

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39. At 9:58pm on 02 Oct 2009, Ragaddict wrote:
Ive heard Chiffchaffs singing on my way to work in the mornings, I'm in Colchester, Essex.

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40. At 9:59pm on 02 Oct 2009, readwarbler wrote:
I have heard chiff chaff in Richmond Park over the last couple of weeks, many times this week and as a lucky resident in Richmond park,i found it strange to be hearing their song so late.

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41. At 9:59pm on 02 Oct 2009, rettopkram wrote:
I heard a couple of Chiff Chaff's in the carpark where I work in Chelmsford Essex

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42. At 9:59pm on 02 Oct 2009, pyomri wrote:
I opened the bathroom window at about 6.15 and was very surprised to hear chiff chaff song. This is in West wiltshire

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43. At 9:59pm on 02 Oct 2009, Wishwitch wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff on tuesday, On the garden center where I work.
Downham Market, Norfolk

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44. At 9:59pm on 02 Oct 2009, Ian_Rowing wrote:
At least one chiffchaff heard in Hillhouse Wood, West Bergholt near Colchester 02/10/2009. Also a willow warbler.

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45. At 9:59pm on 02 Oct 2009, Bambootattoo wrote:
Chiffchaff heard this afternoon at Linslade Wood in Bedfordshire.

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46. At 9:59pm on 02 Oct 2009, ScottishMalcolm wrote:
And here was me thinking it was just me... Chiffchaffs heard in 2 woodland areas in and around Cumbernauld in Scotland. Cumbernauld Glen, an SWT reserve and Nethercroy, a Forestry Commission site. First year i've heard them so late - they're always the first to arrive...

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47. At 9:59pm on 02 Oct 2009, zygodactyl wrote:
I HEARD AT LEAST 4 CHIFFCHAFFS IN APEX PARK HIGHBRIDGE SOMERSET ON TUESDAY AROUND 8.30 AM WHILST WALKING THE DOGS.

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48. At 10:00pm on 02 Oct 2009, Penzancebirder wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff singing in my garden in West Cornwall yesterday.

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49. At 10:00pm on 02 Oct 2009, LeamSkelding wrote:
I heard chiff chaffs in the trees around my house in Bangor, Gwynedd recently.

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50. At 10:00pm on 02 Oct 2009, Sparrowhawk1974 wrote:
We heard chiffchaffs in the woods yesterday!

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51. At 10:00pm on 02 Oct 2009, ktsuze wrote:
Mum heard a chiffchaff at 9.20am Wednesday morning.
Clevedon, North Somerset.

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52. At 10:00pm on 02 Oct 2009, sharobmic wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff this afternoon while walking my son home from school. Walberton, West Sussex

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53. At 10:00pm on 02 Oct 2009, marshallnmandy wrote:
There has been a Chiffchaff calling in our garden for the past wek.
Marshallnmandy

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54. At 10:00pm on 02 Oct 2009, 123WildSam wrote:
I heard a Chiff-chaff while walking in the wood near my home. This is in Grendon, near Tamworth.

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55. At 10:01pm on 02 Oct 2009, Sparrowhawk1974 wrote:
Sorry - in Oxfordshire!

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56. At 10:01pm on 02 Oct 2009, RJC391 wrote:
Three different birds heard singing on the outskirts of Derby in the past 24 hrs. Cycling to work each day is a great way to get a feel for how the seasons are changing! Or not in the case of Chiffchaff so far!

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57. At 10:01pm on 02 Oct 2009, gedcone wrote:
Heard one last week ,shaw, gtr manchester.

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58. At 10:01pm on 02 Oct 2009, JendaWren77 wrote:
We heard a chiffchaff when working on Fencerhill Nature Reserve in Gosforth, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne last Thursday.

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59. At 10:01pm on 02 Oct 2009, jg301274 wrote:
I had a Chiffchaff singing on the 12th September In Burton Cheshire.

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60. At 10:01pm on 02 Oct 2009, lordperegrine8 wrote:
Yes i heard a chiff chaff in South Newton Wiltshire too and was quite surprised so i told him to get packing!!

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61. At 10:01pm on 02 Oct 2009, crimsonmagpie9 wrote:
heard a chiff chaff early today now i think about it. near the cotswolds.

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62. At 10:01pm on 02 Oct 2009, adobarker wrote:
Just this week I have heard a Chiff Chaff singing in S12 Sheffield at the back of our Office.

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63. At 10:01pm on 02 Oct 2009, sheppey_john wrote:
Last week whilst at Warden point on the Isle of Sheppey I heard a Chiffchaff calling.I have heard them calling at this time of year before though..we get an awful lot of warblers passing through our area around this time of year so the call could still be quite unusual.

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64. At 10:01pm on 02 Oct 2009, 37Deano215 wrote:
Have been down at Ashcott Corner (Meare Heath) today, Friday 2nd October. Heard Chiffchaff singing in trees beside carpark about 09:45.

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65. At 10:01pm on 02 Oct 2009, Farmcotian wrote:
Hi
I have heard several chiffchaffs - mostly here in the Cotswolds. We have had a fall of ccs and willows in the garden last week. Up on the allotment there are at least three chiffs singing today. Was at reading Uni last weekend and there were at least two chiffchaffs singing by the SSSI. Also blackcaps and one garden warbler.
Farmcotian

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66. At 10:02pm on 02 Oct 2009, Mikebadger wrote:
Heard one yesterday at my place of work Lydiard Country Park, Swindon, Wiltshire

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67. At 10:02pm on 02 Oct 2009, TribeofOne wrote:
heard one today about 4:30 but the canal in the center of leicester

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68. At 10:02pm on 02 Oct 2009, Laracrock wrote:
Not only heard a chiff chaff yesterday, but had one right outside kitchen window - here in sunny Sevenoaks!

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69. At 10:02pm on 02 Oct 2009, rosielovesroses wrote:
I was quite surprised when I heard one in my garden! (Foxton Cambridgeshire.)

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70. At 10:02pm on 02 Oct 2009, TomNWHodgetts wrote:
I Have heard chiffchaffs in Grantham Licolnshire last week and one at stithians resevoir on the 1st oct in cornwall :D

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71. At 10:03pm on 02 Oct 2009, Knypersleybirder wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff singing near Northwich, Cheshire on Wednesday 30th September.

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72. At 10:03pm on 02 Oct 2009, fabpopcorngirl wrote:
Heard 2 Chiffcaff's two miles apart. North Northumberland a few miles from the coast. Not heard before this time of year.

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73. At 10:03pm on 02 Oct 2009, famousalanjack wrote:
Hi, on a cycle ride this week in Northumberland, i heard 4 singing Chiff Chaffs in 10 kms.I also heard one other elsewhere in the county this week.

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74. At 10:03pm on 02 Oct 2009, yorkshirecelt wrote:
Heard one in a neighbouring garden's sycamore tree today. Live in DOncaster, post code DN2. Large common with trees between our houses and the town. Been hearing the chiff chaff this week. Don't normally hear it so close to town, usually in woods further afield.

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75. At 10:03pm on 02 Oct 2009, nitrams wrote:
We have heard them around our garden this week. We live near Horsham in West Sussex

nitrams

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76. At 10:03pm on 02 Oct 2009, sleepingKitewatcher wrote:
Chiffchaff heard and obseved in back garden in Andover, Hampshire on the 28th and 29th September but not since.

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77. At 10:04pm on 02 Oct 2009, DavidVA wrote:
Yes I've heard Chiffchaffs singing in two different locations, one on several occasions at Arkesden near Saffron Walden, Essex (Wed 30th Sep- Fri 2nd Oct) and the others at Heybridge and nearby Chigborough (also Essex) on September 20th

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78. At 10:04pm on 02 Oct 2009, same_river wrote:
i heard a chiffchaff this week in my garden in Alresford (Hampshire)

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79. At 10:04pm on 02 Oct 2009, peterharvie wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff today 2nd October at 7.30 am on Riddlesdown in the London Borough of Croydon.

Peter Harvie

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80. At 10:04pm on 02 Oct 2009, PaulC71 wrote:
I heard one singing in my garden near Aboyne, Aberdeenshire last Saturday (26 September). Not a common bird this far north (but rapidly increasing in numbers), this was in fact the first one I have ever had in my garden.

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81. At 10:04pm on 02 Oct 2009, Sash_T wrote:
Chiffchaff singing in London NW3 on Monday. I thought it was sub-song at first, but it sounded very full and rounded

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82. At 10:05pm on 02 Oct 2009, chrissiewiss wrote:
Hi just to let you know that myself and my daughter heard a chiffchaff at around 10am on the morning of 28th september in the trees that line the road in Chasetown Burntwood Staffs
lovely to hear them at this time of the year

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83. At 10:05pm on 02 Oct 2009, Simon-Tidswell wrote:
I live in Somerset and i hear a Chiffchaff in my back garden every day at the moment.

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84. At 10:05pm on 02 Oct 2009, rosegow wrote:
My husband and I have heard chiffchaff singing locally in Gloucester on our way to work(7 to 9 approx.) this week

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85. At 10:05pm on 02 Oct 2009, WildWomanA wrote:
Two chiffchaffs seen and heard at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve this week,one at eather end of the reserve

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86. At 10:06pm on 02 Oct 2009, famousalanjack wrote:
On a Cycle ride in Northumberland this week i heard 4 singing Chiff chaffs.

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87. At 10:06pm on 02 Oct 2009, bellebelle_1 wrote:
Yes, I heard a chiffchaff two mornings this week. I live in Romsey, Hampshire.

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88. At 10:06pm on 02 Oct 2009, saintdavechedges wrote:
I here chiff chaffs every morning in Birmingham.

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89. At 10:06pm on 02 Oct 2009, annoyingblog wrote:

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90. At 10:06pm on 02 Oct 2009, Wrinklyninja1 wrote:
I have heard a chiffchaff singing about three times this week and got a good solid visual confirmation yesterday morning 1/10/09 up here in the sunny Manchester suburbs.

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91. At 10:06pm on 02 Oct 2009, Phoebe52 wrote:
I have heard, seen and photographed a Chiffchaff in my garden in the last week. I hear it every day now!

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92. At 10:07pm on 02 Oct 2009, sisterelainemargaret wrote:
We heard a Chiffchaff this Tuesday morning here in North Tyneside.
It stayed in the trees at the bottom of the garden for about an hour.

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93. At 10:07pm on 02 Oct 2009, somersetbeauty wrote:
A chiffchaff has been singing for most of the day today - either in our garden or very close by. South Somerset area

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94. At 10:07pm on 02 Oct 2009, NHOJREBRAB wrote:
I listened to A Chiff Chaff singing on Wednesday 30th September while fishing on the river Severn at Atcham in Shropshire.

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95. At 10:07pm on 02 Oct 2009, goldenMJarvis wrote:
Yes we heard them in West Hanningfield and in Brentwood in sunny Essex.

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96. At 10:07pm on 02 Oct 2009, annoyingblog wrote:
heard a chiffchaff singing in garden and surrounds this week lymm cheshire

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97. At 10:07pm on 02 Oct 2009, BillKre wrote:
Was fishing this afternoon on the Fossdyke canal near Lincoln and heard and saw a Chiffchaff - also couple of warblers pottering about in bankside vegetation.

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98. At 10:07pm on 02 Oct 2009, Alinsussex wrote:
We heard the Chiffchaff in the morning out the front of our house, we live within a mile of the Sussex coast.

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99. At 10:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, Mikebadger wrote:
Mikebadger

Heard one yesterday at my place of work Lydiard Country Park, Swindon, Wiltshire.

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100. At 10:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, Lockhills wrote:
Yes, i was at Caerlaverock WWT yesterday (2nd Oct) and heard 1 singing away in the glorious sunshine. Also had a willow warbler in our garden, saw it last week 3 or 4 times but this week seems to have disappeared.

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101. At 10:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, Bobwilsonburton wrote:
Heard a Chiffchaff this week in the evening at Branston Water Park, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire

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102. At 10:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, Chilton5 wrote:
October 2nd - mid afternoon heard Chiff Chaff song near Bridgwater, Somerset.

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103. At 10:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, geoshirleyann wrote:
I heard one at Nefyn, on the Lleyn Peninsula- North Wales. I've heard it for days, very clear.

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104. At 10:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, sounds-and-images wrote:
I heard a Chiff Chaff a week ago in Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire, seems very common this year.. I have noticed it in previous years with the odd one or two...

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105. At 10:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, Swallowfamily wrote:
Hi,
We heard a chiffchaff singing in our garden this morning near Newbury. I have heard that birds sing in the late autumn as the daylight hours reduce to the same levels as spring-time.

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106. At 10:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, marlibar wrote:
Earlier this week I saw 3 chiffchaffs in the garden in Hertfordshire. One of them was young and still fluffy. I have also heard chiffchaff sone almost every day for the last 2 weeks.

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107. At 10:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, dudetigress wrote:
Yes I heard a chiffchaff on Wednesday. I live nr. Kettering in Northants. It took me by surprise so what a relief to hear that others had heard them too.

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108. At 10:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, janetannblake wrote:
Yes I have heard a chiffchaff singing in Wilstone in Hertfordshire

Mid day on Tuesday 29th September.

Looked for it but couldn't see it. I thought it odd as well to hear a spring song.

Close to Wilstone Reservoir, sunny and warm.

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109. At 10:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, AndyCKennet wrote:
I Heard a chiffchaff the week before last on the Isle of White in woods on holiday camp 2miles west of Cowes :-).

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110. At 10:09pm on 02 Oct 2009, janetannblake wrote:

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111. At 10:09pm on 02 Oct 2009, JulieNP wrote:
I thought I was hearing things on Wednesday morning, but as I went to check on a late hedgehog family in a relatively built up part of North Kent, I was very surprised to hear a chiffchaff. I'm glad others are hearing them as I thought I was going funny in the head and imagined it!
Sothat was 30th September! Amazing. ;-)

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112. At 10:09pm on 02 Oct 2009, FerryMeadowsfan wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff singing today at Ferry Meadows Country Park in Peterborough. It has been a particularly good year for Chiffchaffs on their return journey with as many as 35+ counted in the park on a couple of occasions at the end of August and early September.

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113. At 10:09pm on 02 Oct 2009, ChrisandKathy wrote:
We were walking in Llanrug on Weds 30th Sept and heard a chiffchaff - fabulous!

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114. At 10:09pm on 02 Oct 2009, farmduck wrote:
I first heard the chiffchaff on 20th September and have heard one every two or three days since including yesterday in Lillingstone Lovell North Bucks.

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115. At 10:09pm on 02 Oct 2009, captaindbooker wrote:
my son heard a chiffchaff at his school today in littlehampton

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116. At 10:09pm on 02 Oct 2009, tughunter wrote:
Last saturday, we heard a chiffchaff in trees near hathersage, derbyshire
before being spooked by a group of passing jackdaws

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117. At 10:09pm on 02 Oct 2009, honestessexbirder wrote:
I have heard singing chiffchaffs at least a dozen times along the Flitch Way (ex railway line between Braintree and Dunmow,Essex) and the adjacent Great Notley country park over the last 2 weeks. At least 5 well seperated locations.

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118. At 10:09pm on 02 Oct 2009, angelichazel wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff - not the summer song - here in East Devon last week. Beautiful weather.

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119. At 10:09pm on 02 Oct 2009, garywilly wrote:
I heard one on Monday (Ledbury in Herefordshire) and have done regularly throughout the summer.

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120. At 10:10pm on 02 Oct 2009, Lynne24 wrote:
We heard a chiff chaff at RSPB Ynys Hir last Sunday

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121. At 10:10pm on 02 Oct 2009, sombornelife wrote:
This morning at 10:30 in our back garden in Hampshire near Romsey.

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122. At 10:10pm on 02 Oct 2009, auntbudgerigar wrote:
I have heard a Chiffchaff singing 2 or 3 times in the past week in or near my garden in Blackfield, Southampton.
Incidentally, today I heard a Great Tit calling "Teacher Teacher" - also not usual at this time of year.

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123. At 10:10pm on 02 Oct 2009, electrictiff wrote:
I heard a ChiffChaff Wednesday in Kettering, also saw and heard 7-8 close together last weekend at Summer-Leys NR in Northants, and wouldmlike to know do they migrate in groups? could this be a group ready to fly south?

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124. At 10:10pm on 02 Oct 2009, mikycooper wrote:
i heard a singing chiffchaff in some tree's near my allotment in Beeston Leeds 11.i've always heard birds singing at this time of year,not many but they do sing and call at this time of year.the date 30 sept 2009.

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125. At 10:10pm on 02 Oct 2009, lucymalpas wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff singing near Stalham in Norfolk on Tuesday September 29th. I'm glad you mentioned this was happening across the UK because no one believed me at the time!

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126. At 10:10pm on 02 Oct 2009, nicebumble wrote:
Yes I heard a chiffchaff on Monday this week in the morning and I live near the Blackdowns in Somerset

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127. At 10:10pm on 02 Oct 2009, stimpyman wrote:
We have had at least two chiffchaffs chiff chaffing merrily all this week in the tree in our garden in Seaford.

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128. At 10:10pm on 02 Oct 2009, paulgreenacres wrote:
Hi everyone, I was working near Holmes Chapel in Cheshire and watched a Chiff chaff singing a showing interest in a Sparrow on the next doors roof, thought it very stange at the time?????

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129. At 10:10pm on 02 Oct 2009, electrictiff wrote:
I heard a ChiffChaff Wednesday in Kettering, also saw and heard 7-8 close together last weekend at Summer-Leys NR in Northants, and would like to know do they migrate in groups? could this be a group ready to fly south?

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130. At 10:11pm on 02 Oct 2009, toosoontom wrote:
ive been hearing one for a week now 27 sept - 2 oct. Chudleigh south Devon

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131. At 10:11pm on 02 Oct 2009, smilingdalmatian wrote:
Chiff chaff singing a weak little song yesterday 1st Oct in hedgerow to field in Bilsthorpe and also in Farnsfield along the Southwell Trail Saturday previously.

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132. At 10:11pm on 02 Oct 2009, phillipuss wrote:
I have been hearing a chiff chaff all summer and, with only a short abscence early in September, have heard him almost every day including today (2nd oct). I have seen him briefly in the garden and his song never fails to put a smile on my face!
We are on the Powys, Shropshire border near Welshpool and have never heard one before this year.

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133. At 10:11pm on 02 Oct 2009, flyingSheepie wrote:
Yes I heard a chiff chaff last Saturday 26th September in Abbotsbury, Dorset. I thought it was strange as I usually hear them in Spring.

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134. At 10:12pm on 02 Oct 2009, mrjamesfraser wrote:
starling mimicry seems to be fooling some people

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135. At 10:12pm on 02 Oct 2009, hrodelberht wrote:
heard a chiffchaff mid-afternoon on Wednesday 23rd September on lower end of Cotswold Way near Tormarton

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136. At 10:12pm on 02 Oct 2009, astonishingsueivan wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff last week in the Budleigh Salterton area of Devon.

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137. At 10:12pm on 02 Oct 2009, manorhousestudio wrote:
We have had a chiffchaff and a willow warbler singing above Hebden Bridge during the last 2 weeks.

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138. At 10:12pm on 02 Oct 2009, vulturewoman wrote:
Yes, I heard one a couple of days ago in Amesbury, Wilts.

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139. At 10:12pm on 02 Oct 2009, Primageographer wrote:
We heard a chiffchaff on the Isle of Sheppey two or three days ago.

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140. At 10:12pm on 02 Oct 2009, drivingpuddledock wrote:
Yes - sitting in the garden eating lunch today, we heard a chiffchaff. Toys Hill, Kent.

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141. At 10:12pm on 02 Oct 2009, Walker54 wrote:
I have heard one twice - once down near Uckfield in Sussex, and the other in North London

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142. At 10:12pm on 02 Oct 2009, SKYEANDGEOFF wrote:
One singing on Oct 1st Chasewater Staffs

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143. At 10:12pm on 02 Oct 2009, judithmarylane wrote:
Yes I heard a Chiffchaff while I was working in my veg patch in North Oxfordshire earlier this week.

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144. At 10:12pm on 02 Oct 2009, silverback1969 wrote:
Heard a Chiffchaff in West Yorkshire (RSPB Fairburn Ings on Wednesday morning).

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145. At 10:13pm on 02 Oct 2009, Bernie48 wrote:
yes I ave heard the lovely singing in my back garden several times this week, my back garden is in Huyton, Liverpool

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146. At 10:13pm on 02 Oct 2009, birdseyeguy wrote:
We heard a chiffchaff singing in the local park on Wednesday 30th September. We live in Gateshead. It wasn't quite like its springtime song, but definitely chiffchaffy.

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147. At 10:14pm on 02 Oct 2009, ericandnorman wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff on May Hill in Gloucester on Wednesday 30th September

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148. At 10:14pm on 02 Oct 2009, flowgo90210 wrote:
I live in Cranbrook, Kent, I've been hearing Chiff-Chaffs for a few months now, I was listening to them earlier today.

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149. At 10:14pm on 02 Oct 2009, princesslesleyanne wrote:
I live in West Cornwall and I believe that ChiffChaffs over winter here as do Blackcaps.
I hear them fairly regularly.

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150. At 10:14pm on 02 Oct 2009, Wellingtonwings wrote:
We heard and saw a chiff chaff in our garden a few days ago. Bromley Kent

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151. At 10:14pm on 02 Oct 2009, tixxy1 wrote:
i clearly heard a chiff chaff this week at burgh by sands, on the solway firth.north cumbria.

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152. At 10:14pm on 02 Oct 2009, Timbo04 wrote:
ChiffChaff heard in my garden in Hassocks West Sussex, Sunday Morning 27th Sept. I commented to my wife that it was the first I had ever heard in our garden and it was much too late in the year.
I normally see them at RSPB Pullbrough Brooks about 20 miles away.

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153. At 10:14pm on 02 Oct 2009, rooks4eva wrote:
I have heard a chiffchaff this week in Horndean near Portsmouth. I couldn't quite believe it!!

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154. At 10:15pm on 02 Oct 2009, GILLPETE wrote:
Heard Chiffchaff at Stowe Gardens, Bucks on 24th September, at Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk on 27th September (along with sighting of late fledged Chris Packham), at Tingewick, Bucks on 30th September and Canon's Ashby, Nothants on 2nd October,

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155. At 10:15pm on 02 Oct 2009, gentlemanyorkie wrote:
Yes I heard a chiffy singing it's typical chiff chaff song yesterday at Denaby Ings YWT reserve.

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156. At 10:15pm on 02 Oct 2009, straceys wrote:
Walking around Slapton Lea in Devon on Thursday we heard and saw at least three Chiffchaff. The previous Sunday we also heard one at Mullion in Cornwall. On the 17th sept. they were present at Axbridge near Cheddar.

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157. At 10:15pm on 02 Oct 2009, artful_owl wrote:
Heard chiffchaffs in our work grounds in Swindon on wednesday at lunchtime...

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158. At 10:16pm on 02 Oct 2009, taillessjack wrote:
We were visiting Saltburn on the North East coast at the weekend and whilst walking to the beech to our suprise also heard a Chiffchaff. We assumed like most people that they would have moved on by now.

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159. At 10:16pm on 02 Oct 2009, EastSurreyMorris wrote:
Yes, both my wife and I heard one on separate days earlier this week. We live in Carshalton, Surrey.

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160. At 10:16pm on 02 Oct 2009, teaselstudio wrote:
I not only heard one, but I sat watching a pair as they foraged through the silver birch over hanging my decking in the sunshine of East Sussex yesterday, about 4 feet away from me as I munched my lunch.

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161. At 10:16pm on 02 Oct 2009, bisongeepers wrote:
We live on the south west edge of Basingstoke and have heard Chiffchaffs calling regularly for the past two weeks. There are a pair of regular visitors to our garden, mainly up in the birch tree and around the pond where we have seen them bathing in the waterfall.

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162. At 10:16pm on 02 Oct 2009, Peggoi wrote:
Yes heard one this morning in Chelmsford, Essex. There were two in the same area last week.

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163. At 10:17pm on 02 Oct 2009, oldwolf8 wrote:
heard chiff chaff singing mid morning on 28th September and had 3 in garden forn the fist time

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164. At 10:17pm on 02 Oct 2009, peterky wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff this morning, friday 1 October, in the garden in Fetlar, Shetland. I was checking for the Taiga flycatcher that arrived last week.

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165. At 10:17pm on 02 Oct 2009, evetsblogg wrote:
Yes still going strong today in Wiltshire. We have loads of them in and out of the garden on a regular basis. + Willow Warbler singing yesterday.

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166. At 10:18pm on 02 Oct 2009, niceInk76 wrote:
I had a ChiffChaff in my garden just yesterday, never had one before only ever heard them in a little copse near where i live. I
live in Newcastle upon Tyne.

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167. At 10:18pm on 02 Oct 2009, sunnycloudwatcher wrote:
Heard a chiffchaff in the garden in Monmouth on Monday and Tuesday this week and in Tintern today

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168. At 10:18pm on 02 Oct 2009, megasupersue wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff in my garden in North Norfolk, on Sunday 27th Sept for the first time in weeks.

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169. At 10:18pm on 02 Oct 2009, devonjennywren wrote:
We have been in North Devon this week, but last week I heard a chiffchaff singing when I was taking my dog for a walk in the fields behind our home.

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170. At 10:18pm on 02 Oct 2009, geoff170 wrote:
We heard a Chiffchaff song while on a visit to Pecorama at Beer in Devon (EX12 3NA) yesterday 1st October 2009

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171. At 10:18pm on 02 Oct 2009, JimASR wrote:
I heard one between 10.00 and 11.00 this morning on the RSPB reserve at Rainham Marshes near the woodland classroom.

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172. At 10:18pm on 02 Oct 2009, Esox lucius wrote:
I've heard (and seen)Chiff chaff on many occasions this week on Uphill Hill LNR and in and around the North Somerset area in general.

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173. At 10:18pm on 02 Oct 2009, harrier251 wrote:
We appear to have a pair of chiffchaffs in our garden near Worcester. They have been visiting during the past week.

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174. At 10:19pm on 02 Oct 2009, paulgreenacres wrote:
By the way Simon can I have your job please????

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175. At 10:20pm on 02 Oct 2009, hyperkingfisher wrote:
Hyperkingfisher has heard chiffchaffs the past week. I nearly always do my birdwatching at Westacre in Norfolk and thats where I heard them.

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176. At 10:20pm on 02 Oct 2009, mortimi wrote:
Have heard a chiffchaff from my garden on the southern tip of Norwich City for about a month now and though how odd it sounded not being Spring. Also can remember it last year too!

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177. At 10:20pm on 02 Oct 2009, Funkychicken wrote:
Yup have also heard chiffchaff recently, the last time 2 days ago - 30th Sept. Am in south Devon. Seeing them occasionally in the garden now but thats not unusual at this time of year. Often get blackcaps in the garden or feeding on the torbay palm 'fruit' over winter.

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178. At 10:21pm on 02 Oct 2009, jbphotographer wrote:
I took a photograph of a Chiffchaff on 28 SEP 09 at the RSPB Wetlands Newport South Wales. I also have a series of photos of a Chiffchaff taken during the middle of September.

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179. At 10:21pm on 02 Oct 2009, doctorinnominate wrote:
Chiff chaff with slightly disjointed song in Dawlish also recently fledged grey wagtails and ducklings. Black swans produced two eggs a couple of weeks ago

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180. At 10:21pm on 02 Oct 2009, XStaysee wrote:
Yes, has come into our garden twice in the past 2 weeks and got nice pictures of it and got quite close, still heard him singing about 2 days ago, but not seen him since tuesday

Gorgeous little bird

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181. At 10:21pm on 02 Oct 2009, queenjustkat11 wrote:
Yes we hear chiff chaff's at the end of our street. Also last week we were at Goodrich Castle in the Forest of Dean and housemartins were feeding their young in a nest in the one of the arch windows of the castle.
We also see loads of jackdaws flying over the local ASDA store in Caerphilly. There's absolutley thousands of them, they're roosting next to the store in the woods.

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182. At 10:21pm on 02 Oct 2009, naturefan-jc wrote:
Have heard chiffchaff song at several locations in the Newport Pagnell, North Bucks area this week.

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183. At 10:22pm on 02 Oct 2009, Yvonne_Heward wrote:
Yes, I have heard a chiff chaff in my garden this week and the week before. Have never heard it before at this time of year, usually only in spring. What is going on?
We live in South Warwickshire, just south of Birmingham.

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184. At 10:22pm on 02 Oct 2009, DandiniS wrote:
Yes, heard a chiffchaff singing last Saturday (26th Sept) on the riverbanks just outside Cambridge.

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185. At 10:22pm on 02 Oct 2009, reddog10 wrote:
On Sunday September 20th I heard a chiffchaff in the woods near Upton, which is near Acle in Norfolk. Twice this week, Monday 28th and Thursday October 1st, whilst walking my dog on Mousehold Heath in Norwich I heard a chiffchaff calling on each occasion.

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186. At 10:22pm on 02 Oct 2009, stellarsangiovese wrote:
pm 30th September. I heard a Chiff Chaff. North Herts. !st one I have heard locally!

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187. At 10:22pm on 02 Oct 2009, janfinney wrote:
Yes, I heard a chiffchaff earlier this week in SY7 9DJ. It seemed a little more subdued than usual and at the time I thought I must be mistaken . Autumnwatch has convinced me it was a chiffchaff.

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188. At 10:23pm on 02 Oct 2009, astonishinghettie wrote:
Still hearing chiffchaffs in Hereford.

Astonishinghettie.

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189. At 10:23pm on 02 Oct 2009, XStaysee wrote:
Forgot to say, im in south devon, not too far from the coast and a wonderful nature reserve

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190. At 10:23pm on 02 Oct 2009, daffod1ls wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff in my garden mid afternoon about a week ago and thought it was a bit strange but didn't know what bird it was. Kings Langley, Hertfordshire

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191. At 10:24pm on 02 Oct 2009, salopimmigrant wrote:
two chiffcaffs singing in different locations close to Bridgnorth, Shropshire, one clearly seen feeding, about the 24th Sept.

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192. At 10:24pm on 02 Oct 2009, davelambert271 wrote:
I heard a Chiff Chaff this morning 2nd Oct, singing in a pine tree opposite my house

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193. At 10:24pm on 02 Oct 2009, johnvx wrote:
I was surprised to hear a Chiff Chaff calling at the back of my garden last Sunday 27th Sept.Location,North Bolton Lancashire.
John B

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194. At 10:24pm on 02 Oct 2009, Crazysheep53 wrote:
The chiffchaffs have been singing their little heads off here in Dorset, I have been listening to two having a sing off all day today!

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195. At 10:24pm on 02 Oct 2009, JaniceLane wrote:
I live on the western edge of the city of Hereford, and I heard a chiff-chaff in my front garden earlier this week.

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196. At 10:24pm on 02 Oct 2009, Mizzwatcher wrote:
Early morning, unusual bird song for this time of year,recognised as a warbler(half awake) then Chiff chaff. Wed 30th sept. Dursley, Glos.

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197. At 10:25pm on 02 Oct 2009, Rangeral wrote:
Chiffchaff calling at about11.30am at a woodland on the north ridge of Cardiff 2nd October

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198. At 10:25pm on 02 Oct 2009, akagray38 wrote:
Yes heard one at middleton Green Leigh staffs on 1-10-09, saw two and got some photos

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199. At 10:26pm on 02 Oct 2009, hunbun82 wrote:
I have a chiffchaff in my garden most days who sings his heart out. Last seen at the weekend. Stockton-On-Tees, Cleveland

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200. At 10:26pm on 02 Oct 2009, MoorlandMousie59 wrote:
We live in a village near to Salisbury in southern England, and was very surprised to hear a Chiffchaff singing close to our garden a couple of mornings ago! I haven't heard them calling since the Spring? What's going on I wonder?!

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201. At 10:26pm on 02 Oct 2009, mrsmossyboots wrote:
Yes. I heard a Chiffchaff singing on two occasions this week, in a large lime tree opposite our cottage. I live in a village just outside of Chichester in West Sussex.

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202. At 10:28pm on 02 Oct 2009, madmaskell wrote:
I heard two chiff chaff calling from my garden last Sunday 26th September and could actually watch one. It was really beautiful. I live in NE Essex in Gt Bentley. Great show, glad you're all back. Mary

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203. At 10:28pm on 02 Oct 2009, TracyPumpkin wrote:
Hi,

I've heard one yesterday and most mornings this week, Swindon, Wiltshire.

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204. At 10:28pm on 02 Oct 2009, chickenbum_53 wrote:
I heard a chiff chaff this morning in my garden. I did not think we should have them in Surrey!!!

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205. At 10:29pm on 02 Oct 2009, nettyjen wrote:
Hi there
Yes i have heard a chiff chaff sing that song.
We also have black birds defending the nest area.
And sparrows collecting the dog hair which fell out whilst grooming..

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206. At 10:29pm on 02 Oct 2009, devongull wrote:
I have heard a Chiffchaff singing at the bottom my garden and behind my garage. The bird favours a small strip of bushes and trees. It is more vocal on fine mornings. I live on a suburban housing estate on the outskirts of Torquay, Devon.

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207. At 10:29pm on 02 Oct 2009, bronarch wrote:
I've been working in a field just off the ring road on the outskirts of cirencester, where yeasterday I commented to my workmate that id heard a chiffchaff... didnt realise that was out of character!

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208. At 10:29pm on 02 Oct 2009, weitzelk wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff about a week ago, it was early morning and i heard the bird song that i could not identify until i heard it just now.

Didnt even know they were in this area (Kempston Bedford)

Ty

Karen

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209. At 10:29pm on 02 Oct 2009, cowwatcher wrote:
There was a Chiffchaff singing at Wildmoor Heath reserve of BBOWT at Crowthorne, Berks on Thursday 1st October morning. I was surprised to hear it, was it on migration? This blog should produce interesting results.

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210. At 10:30pm on 02 Oct 2009, loveslotties wrote:
I heard chiffchaffs singing behind my house in Dorset and at my local Hampshire nature reserve yesterday

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211. At 10:30pm on 02 Oct 2009, grendelsmum2 wrote:
Even I couldn't mistake the sound of a chiffchaff - thought I was going mad. 9.30am, In the Netherlands, between Wassenaar & the Hague wooden dunes, some sun/ mainly cloudy, no wind

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212. At 10:31pm on 02 Oct 2009, reddog10 wrote:
I was having a bit of a clean-up in my garden last week and saw in my crabapple tree what looked just like a pile of old sticks, leaves and accumulated rubbish. The tree has honeysuckle growing all over and the canopy is a bit of a tangle and so I thought I would clear out some of this mess. I took a stick and began pushing at this mess when from it flew a wood pigeon and two eggs fell to the ground! We had these birds nesting in a holly tree earlier in the year but never considered this could have been another nest.

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213. At 10:31pm on 02 Oct 2009, specklesbach wrote:
Chiff chaff heard on 28th and 29th September, singing in the early morning in SA16 0 area.

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214. At 10:32pm on 02 Oct 2009, TracyPumpkin wrote:

I heard one yesterday and most mornings this week, Swindon, Wiltshire.

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215. At 10:32pm on 02 Oct 2009, pondnutter wrote:
I was out walking my dog about 8.30am on 30th september when i thought i was nuts as i could hear a Chiff Chaff. thanks for proving iam not completly mad

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216. At 10:33pm on 02 Oct 2009, broadbill50 wrote:
THis morning, around 08h20 on Highdown, Angmering, West Sussex, I both heard and saw Chiffchaff. No doubt, the calling bird was seen clearly, and I watched it gleaning amongst the leaves.

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217. At 10:34pm on 02 Oct 2009, LateNightSkies wrote:
We have heard chiffchaff song and seen the bird searching for food in our apple tree regularly over the past 2-3 weeks here in the Stroud Valleys in Gloucestershire.

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218. At 10:35pm on 02 Oct 2009, chriscogges wrote:
Watched a chiffchaff feeding on insects in the cherry tree in my West Oxfordshire back garden this afternoon. I was amazed that I was able to stand within 10 feet of it.

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219. At 10:35pm on 02 Oct 2009, AlexMiles wrote:
Within the last couple of weeks, i've regularly heard chiffchaff's singing that familiar 'spring song' down at both Conwy RSPB and Aber Orgwen also known as the spinnies near Bangor, North Wales.

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220. At 10:36pm on 02 Oct 2009, marlibar wrote:
yes I saw 3 chiffchaffs in the garden in east herts last week including one young one and have heard them sing almost every day for the last 2 weeks
marlibar

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221. At 10:36pm on 02 Oct 2009, croockhamite wrote:
Sitting in the sun in the garden this week there has been a chiff chaff singing in the oak tree. Most noticable on Tues 29th Sept.

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222. At 10:38pm on 02 Oct 2009, grendelsmum2 wrote:
Sorry, left off the date - 30th September - & yes, of course, it should have been wooded dunes

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223. At 10:38pm on 02 Oct 2009, robodave wrote:
Heard one several times this week in my garden in Kirkcudbright

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224. At 10:40pm on 02 Oct 2009, belbury wrote:
Heard and then saw a couple of Chiffchaffs in the garden yesterday (we live near Stansted, Essex). Strangely, we have never had them in the garden before so all the more unusual that they should arrive for the first time during the autumn. Another new comer to the skies over our garden this year is a buzzard - in Essex! What is going on?

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225. At 10:41pm on 02 Oct 2009, croockhamite wrote:
I wrote comment no 221 but did not say where we live Church Crookham Hants. Also have pigeon egg shells in garden. Are they still producing young?

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226. At 10:41pm on 02 Oct 2009, silverblogger wrote:
We live in New Milton, Hampshire and have heard a chiff chaff in the garden for the past week, although funnily enough, we haven't heard it here during the summer.

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227. At 10:41pm on 02 Oct 2009, AliWhiting wrote:
We were also confused a few days ago when we heard a chiff chaff in our village nature reserve, South Cambridgeshire. We had a discussion about why it might be singing. We guessed they might be deciding, what with Sep having been so nice, to just stick it out here for the winter? And that perhaps they are moving around within the UK and are singing to establish a new territory. We both remember hearing radio nature programmes with the sounds of warblers singing in Africa in winter. But, we're not experts...........!

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228. At 10:42pm on 02 Oct 2009, i_amagoffer wrote:
Heard a chiffchaff last monday 28th sept on our golf course south of Birmingham
Also had a willow warbler in our bird bath on sunday 27th

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229. At 10:42pm on 02 Oct 2009, hooter56 wrote:
I was tidying the garden last Sunday and the Chiffchaff was singing it's head off, I have noticed this happening over the last few years. I understand the Chiffchaff is the first warbler to arrive and last to leave. We also have had house martins zooming around overhead today. Keep up the good work (Good to hear Bill is doing fine).

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230. At 10:42pm on 02 Oct 2009, SallyKnight wrote:
On Tuesday 29th Sept at 6 pm I heard a chiff chaff at Stowe NT gardens. Last Saturday I am fairly sure I saw a polecat running along the road near Dadford at 12.30 am.

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231. At 10:42pm on 02 Oct 2009, sussexsylv wrote:
heard a chiffchaff last weekend while in my garden in East Sussex coastal Rye area. Not heard one here before although am use to hearing them where I work near Bodiam (woodland area)

Also we often see a pair of buzzards over Bodiam woodland area - only ever use to see them when visiting the west country - any one else noticed them becoming more common in the south east?

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232. At 10:42pm on 02 Oct 2009, FFalcon wrote:
Heard two singing chiffchaffs at the garden center near Houghton in Cambridgeshire last Tuesday afternoon.(29th September). Lovely warm day with a light breeze.

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233. At 10:43pm on 02 Oct 2009, michaelsmethurst wrote:
At Thrybergh Country Park, Rotherham, chiffchaffs have been singing regularly throughout the last month and we are still getting up to 4 singing birds daily.

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234. At 10:43pm on 02 Oct 2009, itsgettinglate wrote:
Whilst mowing the lawn this week in Barnsley South Yorkshire heard one singing to me, or was it telling me to keep the noise down.

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235. At 10:44pm on 02 Oct 2009, Tobiasmassey wrote:
We heard a chiff chaff on Monday afternoon 28th September in our garden in Barham near Canterbury in Kent.

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236. At 10:44pm on 02 Oct 2009, ccobb1 wrote:

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237. At 10:45pm on 02 Oct 2009, jillbrassington wrote:
I have heard and seen a chiffchaff in my garden in SE Essex 3 times in the last 4 days

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238. At 10:45pm on 02 Oct 2009, earlybirder47 wrote:
On 28 September around midday I heard a chiffchaff singing in our backyard. I looked in the birch tree and sure enough there was a pair of them. They stayed around for only about 5 minutes and then flew off in a southerly direction. What on earth was he doing singing at this time of year?
Location NN6 7TP ( Northants)

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239. At 10:45pm on 02 Oct 2009, nicholaslead wrote:
My wife and I have just returned from France and we heard chifchaffs in the Gironde and near to Limoges and the Somme. We thought it was following us everywhere we went.

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240. At 10:46pm on 02 Oct 2009, ccobb1 wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff singing in Burgess Park, London SE5 on 19th September, from the heart of a straggling budlea.

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241. At 10:46pm on 02 Oct 2009, Supercorvid wrote:
Chiffchaffs heard singing in Paignton early in the morning, Ssupercorvid

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242. At 10:46pm on 02 Oct 2009, misssuziedoo wrote:
Yes! yesterday morning (dawn chorus) I heard a birdsong I thought was unusual, when I heard it tonight on the programme I recognised it was the one I heard here yesterday, Kirkby in Furness, Cumbria.

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243. At 10:48pm on 02 Oct 2009, madlancslass wrote:
I've been hearing a chiff chaff in my garden in Sutton, near Ely, Cambs over the last few days, haven't managed to catch sight of it yet though.
Also over the last week the number of great tits at the bird feeders has increased dramatically, we usually see one or two but yesterday there were five feeding at the same time and they have started to visit frequently during each day.
So pleased to hear that Bill is doing well.
Great show!

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244. At 10:48pm on 02 Oct 2009, dominodel wrote:
01/10/09 heard chiffchaff singing at 14.15 hrs at woodbury hall,everton ,beds. also saw one of the resident black squirrels.

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245. At 10:48pm on 02 Oct 2009, greytonybee55 wrote:
WE live just outside Leominster In Herefordshier we have herd chiff chaff in the back garden From Tony

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246. At 10:49pm on 02 Oct 2009, czechbramblecats wrote:
Heard a chiffchaff in the hedge yesterday morning when I was doing the horse breakfasts - have heard it quite a bit during the summer but didn't know what it was. Lichfield staffs. Don't know whether you are interested but I have a Buzzard that comes every morning for breakfast that I put on a post for it - it started last Winter in the very cold weather - my friends call it the bacon buttie buzzard !!

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247. At 10:49pm on 02 Oct 2009, OtterLover3 wrote:
Yes, I have heard a Chiffchaff recently! It was in our back garden in North Nottinghamshre. There may have been two anwsering each others calls.

PS: We miss Bill and wiss him all the best! x

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248. At 10:49pm on 02 Oct 2009, yorkiecrafter wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff in our garden in Garforth, Leeds though I didn't know what it was until I heard the song on Autumnwatch tonight. I have also seen collar doves collecting nesting material.

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249. At 10:50pm on 02 Oct 2009, goodyaffle1964 wrote:
I live in Totton,near Southampton,and i have heard Chiffchaffs on a daily basis,for about the past 10 days.

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250. At 10:52pm on 02 Oct 2009, dimarko wrote:
i was in the garden on sat,26 sept and definately heard a chiff chaff

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251. At 10:52pm on 02 Oct 2009, magsanphil wrote:
Our chiff chaff was calling down at Riverside Park, Margaret Road, Penwortham, Preston. Perhaps a bird resting whilst flying south! But nice to here it. Could these birds now be becoming resident?

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252. At 10:52pm on 02 Oct 2009, gdnjunkie wrote:
I was gardening yesterday 1st October and a chiff chaff was singing for ages. Also have heard it for several days before. Heard in Cranleigh Surrey.gdnjunkie

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253. At 10:53pm on 02 Oct 2009, keithbetton wrote:
There was a significant influx of Chiffchaffs here on 22 September. They were gone the next day. One was singing in Farnham Park, Surrey.

Keith Betton

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254. At 10:53pm on 02 Oct 2009, gentlemanBobWilliams wrote:
My wife and I both definitely heard a chiff chaff calling when we were walking in the Kent Wildlife Trust reserve at Sevenoaks on Monday 28th September

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255. At 10:53pm on 02 Oct 2009, Outbirdie wrote:
Yes, I heard a chiffchaff 3 days ago in my wooded garden in Earls Colne, North Essex

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256. At 10:54pm on 02 Oct 2009, TrevorG44 wrote:
I have heard Chiff Chaffs "summer" calling near my home in Whickham, near Gateshead and where I work in Longbenton just north of Newcastle in the past few weeks, previously I hadn't heard the call since around August time.

Trevor

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257. At 10:55pm on 02 Oct 2009, dimarko wrote:
i was in the garden on sat,26 sept and definately heard a chiff chaff luton beds

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258. At 10:55pm on 02 Oct 2009, Arable_birder wrote:
I heard one singing yesterday (1st October) at Grimley in Worcestershire.

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259. At 10:55pm on 02 Oct 2009, chris1od wrote:
I have heard chiffchaff singing most of the summer, here near Preston in Lancashire. I last heard one about 3 days ago in Cuerden Valley Park. Also have been watching the Jays collecting acorns, Kate.

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260. At 10:56pm on 02 Oct 2009, unarmadillo wrote:
in market overton,rutland. heard ciff chaff and saw it with what i presume was a young one,very bright yellow underneath but slightly confused when it started calling 'tuuit tuuit'. any ideas?

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261. At 10:57pm on 02 Oct 2009, baandb wrote:
Heard chiffchaff on Tuesday 29 September in Cyril Hart Arboretum in Forest of Dean.

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262. At 10:57pm on 02 Oct 2009, thelockeeper wrote:
Yes, I listened to the Chiffchaffs song on the 1st October, whilst I was fishing, a pond on the outskirts of Adlington, near Chorley, Lancashire. It sang for only a brief time, but was without doubt a Chiffchaff and not a GreatTit

thelockeeper

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263. At 10:57pm on 02 Oct 2009, SeymourAves wrote:

Hi,

chiff chaff singing in my garden in west Norfolk for past 5 days - there was an influx of chiffchaffs and other migrants along the coast a few days before. Still family parties of swallows about as well.

S

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264. At 11:00pm on 02 Oct 2009, valnipper wrote:
I have only recently had a chiffchaff in my garden and on Tuesday this week he sat in the spruce tree and sang for about 1 hour

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265. At 11:00pm on 02 Oct 2009, memnam wrote:
Heard Chiffchaff singing at 1.15 pm Tuesday, 22nd Sept at Brampton Mill, Huntingdon, Cambs. Several others were calling, but only one singing. Coincided with a short burst of sunshine.

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266. At 11:00pm on 02 Oct 2009, datagardenwatcher wrote:
I have just completed my BTO Garden Bird watch forms for this quarter...and last heard a Chiffchaff singing during the week beginning Sunday 6th September...I live in East Anglia (St Ives in Cambridgeshire).

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267. At 11:02pm on 02 Oct 2009, funlovingcountrygirl wrote:
Yes I have heard one several times this last week, outside the house in an Elderberry tree, also was able to see it at last as not so many leaves on the tree.
Sighted & heard in the South Gloucestershire area.

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268. At 11:02pm on 02 Oct 2009, cirruscirrus wrote:
Whilst hiking with a friend last Saturday 26th September in The Cotswolds we both heard a Chiff Chaff sing.

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269. At 11:03pm on 02 Oct 2009, antheamargaret wrote:
I saw a chiffchaff in our apple tree on Sunday 27th September at about 9.30 am. I was not absolutely sure what it was until it suddenly began to "chiffchaff". I was very surprised. They always come back into the field at the bottom of our garden around the middle of March, for me it is a sure sign of spring. I live in Ambergate, Derbyshire.

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270. At 11:03pm on 02 Oct 2009, MANDY-N-LIZ wrote:
Yes! Have heard chiffchaff this week AND last week in our garden!! Commented at the time how surprised we were to hear it as normally only hear them in the spring!
Location-- Mid-Suffolk.
Also seen a lesser-whitethroat and heard a blackcap singing, this week, both of which are most unusual in the garden!!

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271. At 11:03pm on 02 Oct 2009, safc2009 wrote:
Yes on several occasions at different locations within the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust site at Washington, Tyne and Wear over the last two weeks.

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272. At 11:03pm on 02 Oct 2009, goldrichard51 wrote:
chiffchaff singing on 30th Sept, in North Fareham, Hampshire

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273. At 11:03pm on 02 Oct 2009, valnipper wrote:
Sorry I forgot to mention where I live. I reported hearing the chiffchaff on Tuesday. To my knowledge I haven't had one in my garden before this year I live in Somerset

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274. At 11:04pm on 02 Oct 2009, geniusRich wrote:
My office in Hallow, Worcestershire overlooks some trees, and all summer long I have been privileged to see a chiffchaff flittering about right outside my window. I see him every week.

I've recently been really surprised to still be seeing him at this time of year, and funnily enough, just yesterday I clearly heard him singing his 'chiff-chaff' song. Just heard him the once though, even though he's often around.

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275. At 11:05pm on 02 Oct 2009, mrasaf wrote:
I usually walk my dogs in Kensingon Park, London every morning at about 10.00 for at least an hour often several if the weather permits. I have heard Chiffchaff singing several times down by the Serpentine lake and it did strike me as somewhat odd, since l usually accociate this particular bird song with high summer.

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276. At 11:05pm on 02 Oct 2009, Pokerbird wrote:
Just in case this chiffchaff link doesn't work, here's the gist of it:

Today one was very obvious outside the West Hide at Upton [Warren] and last week another was calling in Walkwood [Redditch].

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277. At 11:05pm on 02 Oct 2009, battyminipip wrote:
Hi there,

I heard a chiff chaff singing while in my garden in Warwickshire yesterday (1st Oct.), SE of Warwick/Leamington. I also recently saw swallows still in the area.

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278. At 11:06pm on 02 Oct 2009, rayandmo wrote:
Chifchaff singing in my garden near Battle, East Sussex - 8a.m., 27 September

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279. At 11:06pm on 02 Oct 2009, mickycoop wrote:
I had a Chiffchaff singing in my back garden on the outskirts of Kidderminster about 4 days ago. Not so unusual as the species is known to sing on passage is it not? However, with more records of wintering birds, could this be another aspect of micro-evolution, in that some Chiffchaffs may sing to claim a winter territory, despite most over-wintering individuals showing more mobile behaviour?

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280. At 11:07pm on 02 Oct 2009, ripley_sponge_doctor wrote:
On september 20 there was a singing chifchaff in our garden , ripley, derbyshire, for a large part of the day.
(we usually have one or two on spring and autumn passage most years, feeding in silver birch)

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281. At 11:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, Monymuskovite wrote:
Chiffchaff singing in woods near Monymusk Aberdeenshire on Monday 28th September.

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282. At 11:08pm on 02 Oct 2009, jerena wrote:
For the last 4 days the chiffchaff has visited our garden once to feed,the other times perched in the lime tree just 30ft from the house.
Washington village,West Sussex.

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283. At 11:11pm on 02 Oct 2009, Mildred79 wrote:
Had a Chiffchaff singing in our back garden in Brighouse West Yorkshire yesterday morning at 7.45am it was on bushes near our pond.

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284. At 11:15pm on 02 Oct 2009, bingobongerton wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff last Wednesday at a garden I was working in, in Radcliffe on Trent, Nottingham. It was a lovely sunny day, and such a nice sound to hear at this time of year!!

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285. At 11:17pm on 02 Oct 2009, le-jardin wrote:
I have heard chiff-chaffs in my trees for the past 2 weeks,Penryn,Cornwall.I also have doves still pairing and the usual wood-pigeons in my fir trees.Also the magpies seem to be nesting again.

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286. At 11:23pm on 02 Oct 2009, redkitenod wrote:
yes heard and saw one in the old plum tree in my garden. The first one we've had in the garden, I hear loads in the local woods through spring and summer

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287. At 11:25pm on 02 Oct 2009, missladybird77 wrote:
Heard a chiffchaff singing in the morning just a couple of days ago - location Chipstead, Kent.

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288. At 11:26pm on 02 Oct 2009, Swiftav8 wrote:
I heard a chiff chaff singing close to the River Avon near Pershore in Worcestershire on 27.9.09

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289. At 11:28pm on 02 Oct 2009, purpleWitchazel wrote:
I have heard more Chiffchaffs this year than ever before.
They can be heard most days in the garden. Yesterday heard and then saw one in the holly tree between my house and the next house. The buildings are about 5 yards apart. This is in Hythe Hampshire.
I have also heard them in Totton Hampshire over the last few weeks when I visit there.
I am convinced the Robin in the garden has been serenading a mate
in September. Young fluffy Bluetits have been feeding on the nut feeder in the garden in the last couple of weeks.
The pigeons have been flying about carrying twigs which is more behaviour associated with Spring nesting.
My Foxgloves are still flowering. Is this really October?

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290. At 11:34pm on 02 Oct 2009, Cornishslate wrote:
I have heard a chiffchaff every day this week in our orhcard near Gloucester

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291. At 11:35pm on 02 Oct 2009, crittersarecool wrote:
I have had a small warbler like bird visting my garden near Banbury for just over a week, heard the call of a Chiff Chaff but not sure if its this bird making it. Looked it up in all my Bird books and on google but nothing quite like it. It has a quite distinct Yellow Bar along the edge of its wings and a Yellow eye stripe. Olivy Green in Colour. So is it a Chiff Chaff, its driving me mad trying to identify it!!
Have also heard a distinct Chewey,Chewy, Chewy song. Please please can someone tell me what bird this is.

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292. At 11:36pm on 02 Oct 2009, wonderfulhorsey1 wrote:
I have heard chiff chaffs for the past couple of weeks down here in Cornwall. I had one feeding and singing in my garden in Constantine, Nr Falmouth.

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293. At 11:50pm on 02 Oct 2009, tree2bee wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff around midday on Saturday 26th October, at Higham, Derbyshire.

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294. At 11:51pm on 02 Oct 2009, EssentialRabbit wrote:
One singing earlier this week in my garden here in South West Wales. Chiffchaffs had an excellent breeding season here unlike many migrants, which had the worst for years.

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295. At 11:57pm on 02 Oct 2009, Idunworkin wrote:
This past week I have heard and seen more chiff chaffs in my Devon garden than ever before. At least 20 and mostly flitting amongst the hawthorns.

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296. At 00:24am on 03 Oct 2009, Mach5FightingFalcon wrote:

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297. At 00:28am on 03 Oct 2009, Maximox wrote:
Heard and seen Chiffchaff's in Flint North Wales. The one I seen was feeding while in a bush along with a Wren. I've heard them in 3 Different spots along the River, oddly in the spring I only ever heard them in one spot, could just be me though.

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298. At 00:35am on 03 Oct 2009, trehannick wrote:
Heard a chiff chaff singing in my garden at about 7.30 a.m. on Monday 28th Sept.

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299. At 00:41am on 03 Oct 2009, winnie_the_newt wrote:
So it's not just me then!
As an earlier poster has said, wwt Caerlaverock still has them singing, and in my bit of SW Scotland, nearer to Gretna, I still hear them - and other birds singing away.
Yesterday (Oct 1st) I heard a couple while I was out.

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300. At 00:42am on 03 Oct 2009, Mach5FightingFalcon wrote:
I saw a Chiffchaff in my garden feeding on aphids which were on an Oak tree on the 1st of October and there are still small flocks of up to 20 swallows flying around in the fields where I live, and a couple of house martins, but the swifts and sand martins are long gone and I saw my first fieldfare today and a flock of golden plover. I've been doing survey work for Birdwatch Ireland as part of local surveys and the Bird Atlas Project and Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs are increasing in numbers alot in my survey area and Chiffchaffs are believed to be overwintering in coastal areas, it is strange that Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers are doing so well here but Spotted Flycatchers are in real trouble considering that they have the same diet, habitat and winter in Africa, the very wet summer for the 3rd year in a row impacted on many species but Nightjars bred successfully for the first time so I hope to preserve the habitat in the future. I found only one breeding pair in my survey area this year where formerly up to 10 pairs were common, maybe climate change is affecting them in there wintering grounds. All the Irish swallows are off to blomfontein in South Africa so I wish them well and hope that I'm around to see them return to nest in my shed again next year. Springwatch and Autumnwatch are fantastic programs and I hope they continue to grow and to promote wildlife everywhere.

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301. At 00:49am on 03 Oct 2009, ianford0705 wrote:
I last heard a Chiffchaff singing in Kingoodie, Perthshire on 30 Sept. I would add that Chiffchaffs always have a flourish of singing about now every year and I assumed that this was related to the autumn equinox which equals the spring equinox in terms of daylength and is of course when Chiffchaffs are arriving in northern Europe and beginning singing etc. Ian ford

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302. At 00:53am on 03 Oct 2009, djwildeagle wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff singing in Oadby, Leicester last Sunday, 27th September, on a beautiful sunny morning.

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303. At 05:27am on 03 Oct 2009, giesbach wrote:
we regulary and have done for a couple of weeks heard chif chafs in our garden we are in portsmouth

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304. At 06:54am on 03 Oct 2009, ELTRENDO wrote:
Hi guys, yes I have been listening to and photographing Chiffchaffs recently and heard the 'Chiffchaff' song this thursday in the works car park at about mid afternoon during a spot of fine 'summer' weather in Poole, Dorset.
Great show...Tim

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305. At 07:16am on 03 Oct 2009, mlinjessejames wrote:
At Newhaven, East Sussex, there are at least 2 singing Chiffchaffs. These were heard from Monday until at least Friday this week.

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306. At 07:18am on 03 Oct 2009, merrited wrote:
For the last two weeks I have heard Chif Chaf song round our garden.
Two regularly take a drink at our bird bath very near the house.

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307. At 07:26am on 03 Oct 2009, notsomerrywidow wrote:
I've had a chiff chaff singing in my garden in wiltshire for several weeks now, usually in the morning, in fact I can hear it now, its in a willow tree.

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308. At 07:38am on 03 Oct 2009, furiousa1 wrote:
I heard a chiff chaff in my hawthorn bushes a couple of days ago. It was a sunny afternoon. I have a smallholding in Ceredigion, Mid Wales, 8 miles from the coast, and about 750 feet above sea level. I don't get chiff chaffs in the Spring, but hear them in a wooded area about a quarter of a mile down the lane! I was more surprised to hear a chiff chaff HERE, than the time of year!

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309. At 07:45am on 03 Oct 2009, pbmelodeon wrote:
1 singing at Morton Lochs NE Fife ( NO 46 26 ) - Pinkfeet nearby & Dabchick still feeding young

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310. At 07:58am on 03 Oct 2009, baronbounce wrote:
Like other viewers/listeners we have heard a Chiffchaff twice in the past week. It was early afternoon on both occasions, and it couldn't be called a full call. It sounded very juvenile and croaky. It is something we have heard at about this time in previous years, we always assumed that it was a juvenile on its way South.

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311. At 08:26am on 03 Oct 2009, martinhenderson wrote:
Also head this week in our garden in Rogate, West Sussex

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312. At 08:36am on 03 Oct 2009, Devonalijim wrote:
We heard a chiffchaff in our garden in East Devon last Sunday, 27th. We commented on it and remembered we had an overwintering bird last year.

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313. At 08:50am on 03 Oct 2009, alanbrigitte wrote:
chiffchaff heard this morning at 08.00 at Castle Donington derby,
they sounded to be calling a bit faster than normal.
Alan Baker

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314. At 08:57am on 03 Oct 2009, malda57 wrote:
For the past week up to 3 Chiffchaffs have been singing in Liden, Wiltshire

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315. At 09:01am on 03 Oct 2009, lakersiders wrote:
Ciffchaff heard singing in Highdown Gardens Worthing on 28th September.

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316. At 09:07am on 03 Oct 2009, mizzotter wrote:
Heard a chiffchaff this week in the trees around our garden.Been hearing them regularly since beginning of september.On the 2nd september one came into the garden and chased out the Bluetits.

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317. At 09:11am on 03 Oct 2009, philx2 wrote:
Heard 2 chiffchaffs singing in the morning last wednesday just north of Oxford on the canal.

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318. At 09:11am on 03 Oct 2009, mizzotter wrote:
Heard a chiffchaff this week in the trees around our garden.Been hearing them regularly since beginning of september.On the 2nd september one came into the garden and chased out the Bluetits.Ilive in mid Cornwall.

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319. At 09:13am on 03 Oct 2009, nickkerwin wrote:
I heard a chiff chaff singing last Sunday (27th September) in Stamford Lincolnshire. It took me quite by surprise to hear one this late in the year.

Nick Kerwin

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320. At 09:26am on 03 Oct 2009, scythingJean wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff at 11.15 am on wed September 30th in Cockermouth Cumbria

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321. At 09:28am on 03 Oct 2009, earthbirdman wrote:
Yes got heard them in the past couple of weeks here in Sussex, I heard them in January here as well last winter.

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322. At 09:29am on 03 Oct 2009, strandpuffin wrote:
Heard a chiffchaff in the trees at the bottom of the allotment (25/09/09). This is where they usualy sing in the Spring.
Overstrand North Norfolk

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323. At 09:29am on 03 Oct 2009, eybirdfan wrote:
I have been hearing the Chiff-chaff all through September. The last time was on tues 29th. I live near Leven in East Riding of Yorkshire

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324. At 09:29am on 03 Oct 2009, jane_mupps wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff on Friday 25th September in Nonington Kent, and later saw the bird in my garden.

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325. At 09:31am on 03 Oct 2009, snapewoodclayts wrote:
I heard one in Attenborough Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire on Tuesday 22nd September whilst doing some conservation work (being ripped to pieces by nasty bramble !), plus I had one in my garden a few weeks back

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326. At 09:32am on 03 Oct 2009, snapewoodclayts wrote:
Sorry, that should be Tuesday 29th September.....

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327. At 09:32am on 03 Oct 2009, MarkGPainter wrote:
This year I am recording small flocks of Chiffchaffs around Southampton City Centre. The last two in town were on 22/09/09 and 25/09/09. In a suburban garden one was singing on 26 and 27/09/09.
On each of these ocassions it was sunny, mild with light breeze.

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328. At 09:38am on 03 Oct 2009, AdesBees wrote:
Hi heard a chiffchaff on 1 October in Broadstairs kent, on the same day 2 herring gulls were displaying their mating courtship .

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329. At 09:40am on 03 Oct 2009, birdmaddave wrote:
Yesterday while birding my local patch (Rooksbury Mill) Andover Hampshire i heard Chiffchaff singing , iv,e also heard chiff,s singing at Longparish Hampshire last week .

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330. At 09:42am on 03 Oct 2009, cmoneileen wrote:
Hi I couldn't believe I was hearing this great sound in my garden at this time of year! Almost didn't believe it. Was working in my garden in Gerrards Cross Buckinghamshire on Tuesday 29th Sept and it was there along with lots of other competing birds. Great programme!

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331. At 09:43am on 03 Oct 2009, selvachris wrote:
I have noticed chiff chaffs at our 5 acre farm here in North Wales for the first time this year and then realised that they were actually locally very common i.e. I was hearing them everywhere. This has not been the case in previous years. I last heard one on Thursday October 1st.

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332. At 09:54am on 03 Oct 2009, wondrousgerry wrote:
Heard a chiff chaff, this last week in my garden in France. That is about 15 mile south west of Dinan, in Brittany.

Also other birds, particulary tits and sparrows are behaving as if it is spring, chasing each other around.

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333. At 09:59am on 03 Oct 2009, scottles7170 wrote:
I was walking up through Breakwater Park towards Holyhead Mountain on Tuesday when I did indeed hear a chiffchaff. Rather unexpected ;}

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334. At 10:00am on 03 Oct 2009, megaMayenne wrote:
Les Ruelles,
53220 MONTAUDIN
France

Hi,
Love the programme!
I live in north west France near Fougeres and the chiff chaff has been in full voice for over a week. Our swallows went two weeks ago, but the first flock of long tailed tits were flying from tree to tree in our garden. We also have a fight on our hands to beat the crows to the walnuts. Last year, they won!!
Judith Gueno

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335. At 10:02am on 03 Oct 2009, valeriet wrote:
We have been lucky enough to watch the chiffcaffs in our garden. For a few weeks now a group of 5 visit a shrub in the garden several times a day. They don't seem to go far, as we can hear their song most of the day. We are in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

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336. At 10:03am on 03 Oct 2009, airgetlam wrote:
i've heard several chiff chaffs in and around our estate the latest being yesterday morning at 7.30ish(2 .10 .09) i live in holbury,near southampton hampshire

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337. At 10:05am on 03 Oct 2009, wildkingfisherblue wrote:
Live in Worcester heard 2 this week on Wednesday in 2 different areas. One of which was in my suburban back garden other along a footpath by railway line which is frequented by them in the spring.

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338. At 10:07am on 03 Oct 2009, akajeffers wrote:
Chiff Chaffs calling in our garden in South Staffs. Saw one up to December last year on our feeders.

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339. At 10:08am on 03 Oct 2009, extrasupernan wrote:
Heard a chiffcaff on Wednesday 30 September at around 4.00pm, near Rifle Butts Quarry, a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve near Market Weighton in East Yorkshire.

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340. At 10:15am on 03 Oct 2009, maureenefs wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff on sunday 20 september and on Thurs 24 september at Flitton Moor local nature reserve, Flitton Beds MK455DU.They had been around all summer.

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341. At 10:16am on 03 Oct 2009, eltsac wrote:
I heard a chiff-chaff one early morning this week - couldn`t believe my ears - thought I must have miss-heard but now I don`t think I did!
Wimborne Dorset

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342. At 10:17am on 03 Oct 2009, moofasser wrote:
There are two warblers in my garden at this precise moment - one came into the bush next door to the conservatory and I asked it to sing which it promptly did.
10.05a.m. Saturday 3rd October, Tegryn, North Pembrokeshire

Also had them singing at the bottom of our field last Monday and Tuesday too

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343. At 10:25am on 03 Oct 2009, bigcat2009 wrote:
I'm a professional wildilfe photographer and have four ChiffChaffs in the garden at the moment, washing in my waterfall and eating buggs in my Silver Birch tree. They are great fun to photograph and I can get close for that perfect shot. We also had a Redstart for a couple of days and in this area (South Devon) we have had an Osprey feeding in the local lakes and harbours.

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344. At 10:29am on 03 Oct 2009, simpharv wrote:
Heard a chiff chaff on North Coast of Alderney, Channel Islands.

Mon 28th Sept and Wed 30th Sept 2009 (The same location each time)

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345. At 10:43am on 03 Oct 2009, brynithelbluebird wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff singing twice last week, firstly at Penyfan Pond on Thursday September 24 and secondly at Cwmtillery Lakes on Saturday September 26.
Both these locations are in Gwent, South Wales !

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346. At 10:44am on 03 Oct 2009, Atchhollins wrote:
We heard and saw a chiffchaff in the silver birch in our garden just north of Evesham on 28th September; bit of a surprise - perhaps they have been staying on for the Indian summer!!

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347. At 10:46am on 03 Oct 2009, emmajdo wrote:
Heard them in Whitchurch, Cardiff at the Forest Farm Nature Reserve next to which we live.

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348. At 10:47am on 03 Oct 2009, fdignan wrote:
I have been running over the same route in Gloucestershire for the last seven years and I had never heard Chiff-Chaffs at this time of year before-until 2 weeks ago! Since then I have heard at least 2 different ones ( yes, I know that you can't tell them apart, it is just that I heard them in different places). I assumed that as the weather has been so benign, the birds have decided to fatten up a bit more before the long journey home. Not sure about the singing though-why be territorial when there is no chance of another brood?
NB I live close to Cirencester.

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349. At 10:50am on 03 Oct 2009, maivnyiaj wrote:
I was surprised to hear a blackcap singing several early mornings in early September in the trees at the bottom of my garden, when I normally have to walk 500 yards to hear them in springtime. I know they do sometimes overwinter, but I didn't think they would sing as if it were springtime! Then a chiffchaff followed and has sung repeatedly much closer to the house than is usual so I could hear it from the house throughout September. I live in Bedfordshire. Last week I was on holiday in Pembrokeshire, Wales and again was astonished to hear chiffchaffs singing all times of the day as if it were springtime.

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350. At 10:50am on 03 Oct 2009, neoblog wrote:
Chiffchaff heard 2/10/09, also House martins still feeding and Swallows just fledged. Powys Mid-Wales

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351. At 10:54am on 03 Oct 2009, normanwall wrote:
Yes, we heard a chiffchaff this morning 3 Oct at 9 am outside our home near Wimborne in Dorset.

normanwall

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352. At 11:00am on 03 Oct 2009, cleptoparasite wrote:
i have heard several singing chiffs around newton abbot, devon. espesially at Hackney Marshes lnr.

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353. At 11:04am on 03 Oct 2009, alottmenteer wrote:
I have heard a chiffchaff at my allotment in Bristol BS30 last weekend 27th September

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354. At 11:07am on 03 Oct 2009, poppyGoldilocks wrote:
I have heard a chiffchaff 3 times this week in Steyning, West Sussex.

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355. At 11:08am on 03 Oct 2009, Guizotia wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff singing short sequences admist chirping, while hopping through a bush in Oxfordshire.

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356. At 11:10am on 03 Oct 2009, d_presst wrote:
Heard a Chiff Chaff within the last week at Morwenstow, North Cornwall. The song wasn't as strong or defined as you might expect.

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357. At 11:12am on 03 Oct 2009, Jen49B wrote:
We live in Norfolk and heard the Chiffchaff on Sunday the 27th September at about noon

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358. At 11:14am on 03 Oct 2009, Goldfinch15 wrote:
I've heard 1 in the local woodlands and my garden.

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359. At 11:15am on 03 Oct 2009, Goldfinch15 wrote:
Just this morning I heard 1 on the 3 of October 2009.

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360. At 11:17am on 03 Oct 2009, unbeatablejetski wrote:
Have just heard a chiff chaff in my garden 3rd October 11.15am

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361. At 11:17am on 03 Oct 2009, filmfunsue wrote:
I have not 'heard' the Chiffchaff but last week there was one trying desperately to get in through my livingroom window,l can only assume he was seeing the reflections of the bird feeders in the window,after about 4 mins he/she gave up and flew away to return a few hours later appearing to be with a sparrow,both landed on feeders but flew off together without feeding.I did get a picture of Chiffchaff, resting on pea stick,before attempting window entry again.(will try to upload pic,sorry if l can't)

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362. At 11:19am on 03 Oct 2009, barrenjoey wrote:
Hi There,
I walk to work most mornings up a little lane and have heard a chiffchaff for the last 3 weeks but haven't heard before then.I live 15 miles East of Nottingham.

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363. At 11:22am on 03 Oct 2009, eastsdevon wrote:
only yesterday whilst i was up in the woods local to me i heard this small birds song. just in case you want to know the lacation is at a small wood just down a farm track just outside of yarcombe east devon

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364. At 11:25am on 03 Oct 2009, bowsend wrote:
Heard twice last week ie end of Sept about mid-day in a birch tree East of Bristol. Thought it strange as usually they go 'peeee peeee' after the spring. Early in Sept. there were 3 chiff-chaffs around the bird bath one in, one on the edge and another one decided to have a bath in the dew on the lawn.

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365. At 11:25am on 03 Oct 2009, nannybridge wrote:
I live in Gloucestershire, on the outskirts of Cheltenham and have heard a chiff chaff in the lane where I live. I heard one as well up on Cleeve Hill on the Cotswolds too this week.

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366. At 11:26am on 03 Oct 2009, MizzDoreen wrote:
I saw and heard a chiffchaff in a tree in my garden last week which I was surprised to see. I live in Stafford. It is the first time I have seen one in my garden although I do hear them when I go for a walk along the local canal.

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367. At 11:28am on 03 Oct 2009, Thommotoo wrote:
Have heard at least 3 Chiffchaffs singing around Keswick, Cumbria in the last week

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368. At 11:30am on 03 Oct 2009, hertsrussets wrote:
While picking pears in my garden on Wednesday 30th Sept a chiffchaff was singing in the tall Wych Elm to the rear

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369. At 11:32am on 03 Oct 2009, jade5233 wrote:
I live in Market Harborough, Leicestershire and a few months ago would hear chiffchaffs all day long outside my work near a railway line. I hadn't heard one for while (and neither did I expect to) until 3 days ago when they started singing again.

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370. At 11:33am on 03 Oct 2009, 8anna56 wrote:
I live in Dunstable, Beds. I heard a Chiff Chaff last Wednesday, 30th September.

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371. At 11:35am on 03 Oct 2009, Aglais wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff singing on Wednesday 30th September- Waters' Edge Local Nature Reserve, Barton upon Humber.

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372. At 11:38am on 03 Oct 2009, thewildlifecrew wrote:
We have heard a chiffchaff several times recently in Caedelyn Park in Rhiwbina, Cardiff. It was most recently heard there yesterday morning.

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373. At 11:42am on 03 Oct 2009, pbmelodeon wrote:
1 singing at Morton Lochs NE Fife ( NO 46 26 ) - Pinkfeet nearby & Dabchick still feeding young
- Sorry - forgot to put time & date on previous entry (309) - singing on Sun 27th Sept at 11 am .
There were 2 singing there on the 20th.
Why are they singing now ?? - are they actually trying to hold territory ?? - or is it just a response to the length of day as someone else suggested ??

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374. At 11:45am on 03 Oct 2009, steveyccanery wrote:
heard a chiffchaff in my garden yesterday morning in Tarrant Hinton Dorset

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375. At 11:45am on 03 Oct 2009, jchiltz wrote:

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376. At 11:46am on 03 Oct 2009, jchiltz wrote:
Heard Chiffchaff in Manor Park 02.19.2009 West Malling Kent approx 1300hrs

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377. At 11:47am on 03 Oct 2009, jchiltz wrote:
sorry date should be 02.10.2009

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378. At 11:51am on 03 Oct 2009, binklepop wrote:
Heard a chiff chaff this week in my garden in Thatcham, Berkshire

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379. At 11:52am on 03 Oct 2009, michaelventnor wrote:
A chiffchaff was singing in our garden in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight on 1st October.

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380. At 11:56am on 03 Oct 2009, smartharrythepencil wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff singing in Victoria Park in East London at 9.00am, also saw 4 others with flocks of tits.
Anybody else worried about lack of blackbirds? After 12 years of daily garden blackbirds haven't seen one for 5 weeks, reflected by general shortage locally

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381. At 11:58am on 03 Oct 2009, electricsassa wrote:
We heard chiff chaff song in Hatfield forest on Tuesday of this week. In the past we only hear them in the summer.

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382. At 11:58am on 03 Oct 2009, tiptopcoolfox wrote:
Yes Chiffchaff heard mid morning Oct1 Bleasdale Lanchashire

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383. At 12:04pm on 03 Oct 2009, jabega wrote:
I have heard a chiff_chaff singing over the past two weeks on Tunbridge Wells Common. stuttering a bit but defin.itly a chiff chaff

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384. At 12:05pm on 03 Oct 2009, Jaytiesse wrote:
Chiffchaff singing at 10.35am on 01 Oct 2009.Homefarm Fisheries Alsager, Cheshire

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385. At 12:09pm on 03 Oct 2009, tupsin wrote:
heard chiff chaff from my bed in my house that sits in farmland a few miles north of St Clears, Carmarthenshire, on the 29th Sept.

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386. At 12:13pm on 03 Oct 2009, Cornubiadingdong wrote:
We're in North Cornwall, about 8 miles inland from the coast and have been hearing at least one chiffchaff for the past 2 or 3 weeks including this week. We are also seeing 2 or 3 hunting in bushes near a bird feeder - they delight in chasing other birds away from the feeder although they're not interested in the contents themselves.

We're long standing contributors to BTO's GardenBirdwatch and our records show that we had at least one chiffchaff still with us in the 2nd week of Novemebr last year, however don't recall whether they were calling.

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387. At 12:19pm on 03 Oct 2009, fozzy1138 wrote:
Two Chiffchaffs singing yesterday morning (2nd October) in a willow next to the lake at Central Park here in Chelmsford, Essex. I've also heard at least one more singing elsewhere in the local area over the last week or so.

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388. At 12:22pm on 03 Oct 2009, alstar_ali wrote:
Heard a chiffchaff yesterday morning (02/10/09) at 6.45am on the edge of a patch of heathland at Corfe Mullen in East Dorset. I heard it and thought I was imagining it, maybe still asleep, but it was definitely a chiffchaff.

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389. At 12:22pm on 03 Oct 2009, Happylad0 wrote:
last Thursday (1st October 2009) at Gibraltar Point in Lincolnshire heard a Chiffchaff singing near one of the footpaths. Happylad0 Birmingham.

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390. At 12:25pm on 03 Oct 2009, GRACAROL wrote:
i Have heard a chiffchaff in our garden in Halesowen west midlands ,glad autumn wath is back on bril programe

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391. At 12:25pm on 03 Oct 2009, goulashay wrote:
Heard a chiff chaff on the 30 September at Little Baddow near chelmsford Essex and also pigeons building a nest at Beeleigh Falls near Maldon Essex on 27 September

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392. At 12:27pm on 03 Oct 2009, soulman61 wrote:
I was somewhat surprised to hear (and see) a Chiffchaff making its characteristic call in birch trees behind our garden in Trowbridge last Sunday (27th September) so your item struck a chord.

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393. At 12:29pm on 03 Oct 2009, skatebirder wrote:
There have been several Chiffchaffs singing in the Southampton area in the last week or so, including Southampton Common, Maybush and the Lower Test Marshes. Last Sunday I also heard a singing Blackcap on Southampton Common. I didn't hear singing Chiffchaffs this morning, but I did see 23 of them on a walk around the Lower Test Marshes.

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394. At 12:31pm on 03 Oct 2009, Dartmike wrote:
Yes, I heard a Chiffchaff this morning at about 08.30 at the end of our garden in the centre of Totnes, South Devon, and have heard and seen one several times in the last fortnight.

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395. At 12:32pm on 03 Oct 2009, RandomJottings wrote:
Heard two Chiff Chaffs in recent days. One near the village of Dale Abbey and the other on Shipley Park, both close to Ilkeston in South Derbyshire.

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396. At 12:34pm on 03 Oct 2009, julie169 wrote:
Heard a chiff chaff this week GU5 near Guildford. I thought it was odd as I hadn't heard one since early summer.

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397. At 12:40pm on 03 Oct 2009, robofdidworthy wrote:
I have heard many chiffchaffs this autumn so far. Specifically 2 this week at home.

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398. At 12:41pm on 03 Oct 2009, Lesbatt wrote:
Heard about 6 birds in different parts of Lincoln

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399. At 12:50pm on 03 Oct 2009, feeder2 wrote:
Whilst gardening in Highnam, Gloucester I heard a Chiffchaff at approximately the same time - 5 p.m. 29 and 30 September, lastly
1st October. I tried to mimic the voice and was immediately
replied to, this happened a few times each day. I enjoyed the fun
of communicating.

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400. At 12:53pm on 03 Oct 2009, hawfinch4 wrote:
Over the last 2 weeks Chiffchaffs have been singing around my local patch,in Mansfield Also i have even seen young Mallards, young Ruddy ducks only 2 days old, and house Martins with young still in the nest.
and on the 2ND-10-09 my first Golden plover of the winter. with the juv, Garganey still at Kings Mill Reservoir. this should have long gone.

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401. At 12:56pm on 03 Oct 2009, DavidWCurd wrote:
I also heard a Chiffchaff this week in Brentwood on the 30th singing in mid-afternoon and thought this unusual at the time!

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402. At 12:57pm on 03 Oct 2009, eryljones wrote:
heard a chiffchaff in graigfechan, north wales on sunday 27th sept. Had an overwintering male blackcap that regularly visited our bird table last winter. Ireported it to the RSPB at Conway and they told me that they had to overwintering chiffchaffs there.

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403. At 1:02pm on 03 Oct 2009, thefirstdavidgray wrote:
heard a Chiffchaff in song yesterday (fri 2nd oct 11am) at new prestwick, south ayrshire.

David B Gray

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404. At 1:04pm on 03 Oct 2009, purdeyblackcat wrote:
Yes, I have been hearing them around my allotment (in Crawley, West Sussex) for the past two weeks.

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405. At 1:09pm on 03 Oct 2009, Hengisthawk wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff in my South Coast garden yesterday (2 October). They have been seen most days last week and are particularly keen on the bird bath. I have often heard Chiffchaff, and sometimes Willow Warbler, giving a brief snatch of song in the Autumn over the years.

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406. At 1:12pm on 03 Oct 2009, treemouse_notts wrote:
I heard a Chiff Chaff in the Arboretum just outside Nottingham city centre a few days ago. I was surprised as I don't usually hear them around here, only when I go to Attenborough Nature Reserve.

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407. At 1:21pm on 03 Oct 2009, anorakmick wrote:
I have heard a Chiff Chaff in two different places this week, approximately 10 miles apart. On Tuesday by the River Sowe in Binley Coventry, and on Thursday By the Grand Union Canal in Leamington Spa.

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408. At 1:22pm on 03 Oct 2009, bluecharm-265 wrote:
Have heard a chiffchaff twice this week. Mid Northumberland, rural setting, wooded area with a small burn running through. Seems to be a single bird, but was in the sme area last week.

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409. At 1:28pm on 03 Oct 2009, jovialbluebell wrote:
my husband heard a chiff chaff calling on 1st October at Rufford Golf Club in Notts.The week before we saw and heard one at Holkham Pines in Norfolk.It was flying around with a mixed tit flock and 2 firecrests.

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410. At 1:35pm on 03 Oct 2009, Iomtosalop wrote:
My wife and I heard a Chiffchaff last Sunday morning in Bicton Shropshire

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411. At 1:47pm on 03 Oct 2009, midnightbertie-boy wrote:
Have been hearing Chiffchaffs regularly even this morning whilst out walking the dog in woodland in Carmarthenshire, South Wales.

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412. At 1:48pm on 03 Oct 2009, salamandernewt wrote:
Hi, yes, we have heard the ChiffChaff or three, we think tree, at the bottom of our yard up until yesterday 2/10/09.there is a small woodland area with lots of berrys, a small river and a pond/marsh area. we also have Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Green Woodpeckers, Gold Crest, Blue Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Great Tits, Dunocks, Robins, Tree Sparows, Mistle Thrush's, Blackbirds, Pidgeons, Colard Doves, Gold Finches, Green Finches, Starlings, Busard's over head and a Pair of Sparrow Hawks that fly through. On Friday 2/10/09 we had a count of five Grass Snakes (contrasting light, almost baige, to very dark green, almost black), we have had eight at one count, about four weeks ago. We also have Newts, Black Salamander Newts, Voles, Small Shrews, Larger Shrews, Wood Mice, Field Mice and a Family of Stoats.
We have lately noticed what looks like large cats feties with Large stones in it (seed stones about the 1p size) fruit seeds ? any one have any idea what this is ? PS We are very lucky as the area is small and private, with alot of wild life going on. Thanks

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413. At 1:51pm on 03 Oct 2009, singingSusieS wrote:
I heard a chiff chaff in a tree opposite my house in Ardleigh, near Colchester on Thursday morning 1st October - I remember thinking 'wow, a chiffchaff still here, in October'. I had heard one during the previous weekend as well.

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414. At 2:01pm on 03 Oct 2009, pallywin wrote:
I have heard chiffchaff three times in the last fortnight, the latest being Tues 29 Sep at 3pm. I saw one bird feeding on elder berries with a pair of blackcaps very close to my house. I am a couple of miles north of Greylake RSPB reserve in Somerset.

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415. At 2:02pm on 03 Oct 2009, GerryHoo wrote:
Yesterday morning, south of Exeter (Devon, my luvver)having a cup of tea in bed I heard "Chiff Chaff" from the Birch Tree in garden.We turned the radio off to hear better."Springs back" I said to the wife.
Chiff Chaff song reminds me of "There's a hole in my bucket dear Lisa dear chiff chaff........

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416. At 2:07pm on 03 Oct 2009, waterFreshair wrote:
We have seen and heard a Chiff-Chaff in the trees in our garden, but not in the last few days. I thought that some over wintered in this country. We live in Somerset.

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417. At 2:08pm on 03 Oct 2009, SenhorLou wrote:
Chiff Chaff singing on the banks of the Kennet and Avon Canal, Devizes, Wiltshire this morning (10.05hrs)and frequently over the past six weeks.

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418. At 2:11pm on 03 Oct 2009, BelfastRoadster wrote:
Yes, I heard a Chiffchaff last Sunday morning. It was singing in my parent's garden (east coast of Northern Ireland) and I didn't think it odd until I watched AutumnWatch on Friday!

Mind you, the poor thing's probably been blown to Denmark after today's winds...

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419. At 2:12pm on 03 Oct 2009, hemelian wrote:
A chiffchaff was calling near my garden in Hemel Hempstead on Monday 28th September. I am virtually certain it was the chiffchaff I saw flying out of a small tree shortly after the singing stopped, and I haven't heard it since.

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420. At 2:13pm on 03 Oct 2009, Magpie_71 wrote:
I heard chiffchaffs this week in Clowne, Derbyshire and in Mickleover, Derby.

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421. At 2:13pm on 03 Oct 2009, ValerieWest wrote:
On Thursday 1st I heard chiff chaaf on Earlswood Common/Golf course near Redhill in Surrey

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422. At 2:16pm on 03 Oct 2009, shellBerylA wrote:
I have heard and seen the ChiffChaff for the last 3 weeks at Morn Hill in Winchester. It has been singing morning and afternoon whilst the sun has been shining. The deer are eating the flowers in the early hours of the morning. There is a fox who catches the odd rabbit during the the small hours. Isn't nature wonderful!

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423. At 2:20pm on 03 Oct 2009, haytora wrote:
heard a chiffchaff singing 30th september for one hour.also get a lot of juveniles catching insects on sheep sorrel in garden near east grinstead,sussex.

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424. At 2:23pm on 03 Oct 2009, Brookfield1 wrote:
Heard Chiffchaff singing in a birch tree just over the hedge from our garden mid morning on Saturday, 26th September. North Yorkshire.

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425. At 2:23pm on 03 Oct 2009, Mrs_H3dg3hog wrote:
yes we have chiffchaffs TRYSULL South Staffs.We also have sparrow hawks attacking all our new babies this year.

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426. At 2:25pm on 03 Oct 2009, GrzzldBadger wrote:
Heard one about 2 weeks ago, s Leicester. Also last autumn too; assumed it to be a bird checking out a territory. General obs there have been very few birds around until 2 weeks ago, and considering the amount of fruit in the trees and hedges no Mistle Thrushes seen or heard.

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427. At 2:30pm on 03 Oct 2009, gannetmod wrote:
Heard a Chiff Chaff on Tuesday 30th Sept on a local nature reserve in Horndean, Hampshire.

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428. At 2:33pm on 03 Oct 2009, Tunnell wrote:
Chiffchaff heard in our garden Thursday 1st October, resident heard throughout summer. Swallows and Housemartins left on 28th Sept., 11 days later than I have known them leave previously. Living at Durdle Door, we tend to see the migration. Also heard Chiffchaffs at Weymouth this week.

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429. At 2:35pm on 03 Oct 2009, GrzzldBadger wrote:
Salamander newt your cat feties with stones may be Fox that has been eating plum, bullace or chrry-plum or similar, they will also ingest yew fruits which makes quite asloppy mess when passed or brought-up.

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430. At 2:38pm on 03 Oct 2009, highburysi wrote:
heard a chiff chaff last sunday in Bagley, Suffolk

simon

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431. At 2:47pm on 03 Oct 2009, pammeed wrote:
27th.Sept.11am.Was surprised to hear the unmistakeable call of a ciffchaff.I live on west side of Scotland down the Clyde estuary in Innellan near Dunoon.Lots of mixed woodland about our house.

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432. At 2:51pm on 03 Oct 2009, sukiblu wrote:
I heard a chiff chaff earlier this week, near the river at Walton on Thames.

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433. At 3:00pm on 03 Oct 2009, Dickmilestone wrote:
Chiffchaff have been singing near Church Stretton, Shropshire in the week of 20 - 26th. September. I also heard one at Embleton Bay nature reserve, Northumberland on 27th. September. Three days later we were watching 3,500 barnacle geese (+ one stray snow goose) at Holy Island. A fantastic sight.

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434. At 3:05pm on 03 Oct 2009, AngelaFick wrote:
I heard a chiff chaff last Thursday in my back garden, North Essex and Suffolk border, at the time I thought this was unusual.

Angela

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435. At 3:10pm on 03 Oct 2009, olliemandy wrote:
Heard the chiffchaff at St.Mellons in Cardiff on the 30/09/09 in my garden.

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436. At 3:10pm on 03 Oct 2009, davegash wrote:
Hello!
For the past 4/5 years I've heard Chiffchaffs singing in my local wood in September/October. I wondered if it was something to do with the breeding season being over and any offspring successfully fledged. The adult male birds start to look for a mate again, regardless of the fact that the autumn migration is underway.
Owing to climate change some birds may now possibly overwinter and start to prepare for the next spring's breeding season. Any comments?
Cheers
Dave

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437. At 3:17pm on 03 Oct 2009, BishopMonktonBirders wrote:
Chiffchaff today at Adel Dam (Leeds)

Aidan

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438. At 3:20pm on 03 Oct 2009, colourways wrote:
Have heard one calling from trees near a flash in Wigan Lancs this last week. Couldn't believe what I was hearing. Glad others have heard them,

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439. At 3:20pm on 03 Oct 2009, grandadofjake wrote:
My wife and I heard a Chiffchaf in our garden in Newort on Tay two days ago. We have also seen very young greenfinches on our feeders in the past few days.

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440. At 3:20pm on 03 Oct 2009, Annvinicombe wrote:
I heard the chiffchaff on Friday, October 2nd. In my garden in Ferndown Dorset.

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441. At 3:23pm on 03 Oct 2009, janetinlewes wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff yesterday, 2 October, at about 10.15 am, and noted it particularly because I thought it should have migrated by now. It was in a leafy garden area of Lewes, East Sussex, with medium sized trees. Couldn't tell where precisely because they can throw their voices somewhat.

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442. At 3:39pm on 03 Oct 2009, titanicdynamo wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff a couple of weeks ago whilst descending from Orrest Head in Windermere.

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443. At 3:44pm on 03 Oct 2009, birdhead1 wrote:
Quite a few chiffchaffs were singing at the London Wetland Centre this week. Some of the chiffchaffs seemed to be associating with tit flocks, and it's always worth checking out these warblers with binoculars as you may be lucky enough to find a yellow-browed warbler at this time of year. I suspect a number of these singing chiffchaffs will overwinter here in the southern counties, so are they perhaps getting ahead of the game and setting up territories while there's less competition?! The chiffchaff equivalent of shopping early for Christmas!

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444. At 4:09pm on 03 Oct 2009, saskins123 wrote:
Yes, heard one yesterday in Mildenhall, Suffolk in the afternoon...Didnt know what it was but thought that sounds of Spring!

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445. At 4:20pm on 03 Oct 2009, moofasser wrote:
Another chifchaf at SN332223 Tegryn, Pembrokeshire

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446. At 4:21pm on 03 Oct 2009, tonysnowden wrote:
I have heard chiffchaff song at my "local patch" in the last week. Late (post-breeding) chiifchaff songs seems to have become common in recent years. Previous to 2004, I had not recorded any song beyond the end of July, but since then, my records for the site show 1 singing male on:

2004 September 19th.
2005 September 16th.
2006 October 6th.
2007 October 8th.
2008 September 15th.
2009 October 1st.

Maybe it is due to overwintering birds making a (very) early bid for territory.

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447. At 4:23pm on 03 Oct 2009, jankim wrote:
have heard a chiffchaff at lloc near Holywell n.Wales

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448. At 4:24pm on 03 Oct 2009, jankim wrote:

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449. At 4:32pm on 03 Oct 2009, direnton wrote:
Yes, we heard at least one, possibly two, chiffchaffs singing at Farmoor Reservoir last weekend, and were quite surprised, so interested to know this is happening elsewhere too.

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450. At 4:32pm on 03 Oct 2009, akaViv wrote:
Yes I also have heard a chiffchaff - at Holkham in North Norfolk last Friday 25th September (whilst watching two Firecrests amid a hige tit flock).

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451. At 4:33pm on 03 Oct 2009, brockthebadger2 wrote:
have been hearing chiffchaffs right up to friday 2/10/09.

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452. At 4:36pm on 03 Oct 2009, Clarissa78 wrote:
I heard a Chiffchaff singing his heart out at Leathes Ham, Lowestoft, Suffolk on 21st September 2009
Claire

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453. At 4:38pm on 03 Oct 2009, brockthebadger2 wrote:
sorry forgot to say in the milton keynes area.

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454. At 4:43pm on 03 Oct 2009, beulah59 wrote:
Last Sunday, Sept 27th in Plymouth ... I heard a chiff chaff and commented on it to my husband ...

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455. At 4:54pm on 03 Oct 2009, Skylark wrote:
Yes I have heard a chiff chaff in my own garden, close to Great Torrington in North Devon only a couple of days ago. I saw him singing on the branch then he stopped when he saw me as I asked him what he thought he was doing, singing in Autumn lol

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456. At 4:57pm on 03 Oct 2009, tonywalterhunt wrote:
Singing Chiffchaff in my south herefordshire garden throughout Sept. up to todays date - 3rd Oct.

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457. At 5:05pm on 03 Oct 2009, janiwren wrote:
Near the Devon and Somerset border, birds have been singing at dawn for some weeks. Ciffchaffs have been heard this week! And such activity at the bird feeders.... amazing!

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458. At 5:07pm on 03 Oct 2009, COOKIED7 wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff just the other day at about 8.30 am whilst walking my dog in the woods near Stowmarket. I couldn't believe it at first, after all it was the 1st day of October!Is this so unusual for this time of year? Maybe the fine weather has delayed their departure..

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459. At 5:07pm on 03 Oct 2009, bronzegingeroscar wrote:
I have heard a chiff chaff several times this week where I work, in Guildford. I did't recognise the sound until I heard it on Autumnwatch.

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460. At 5:07pm on 03 Oct 2009, fal-con wrote:
We saw at least a dozen chiffchaffs at Moor Green near Sandhurst yesterday, and had 3 separate birds singing. The day before we had 1 in our Farnham garden singing,which was unusual anyway.

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461. At 5:09pm on 03 Oct 2009, xntgardener wrote:
29TH September. Sussex Wildlife Trust Reserve . Old Lodge, Ashdown Forest. A bit of a surprise to hear a (male) chiffchaff at full throttle. Even more surprising, I was trying to photograph a female redstart at the time.

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462. At 5:21pm on 03 Oct 2009, ANNIEKYLE2 wrote:
SINGING CHIFFCHAFF IN THRAPSTON NORTHANTS GARDEN ON 01/10/09.

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463. At 5:27pm on 03 Oct 2009, newOakwood wrote:
I have been hearing two chiffchaffs singing at the same time - same ajacent territories as in spring - between 10th and 26th September, Braydon area of north Wiltshire. I've also been seeing at least four of them feeding.

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464. At 5:29pm on 03 Oct 2009, Gooders53 wrote:
Yepp, I heard the unmistakable call of a chiffchaff at about 3.30pm on Monday 28 Sep. The bird was clearly visible sitting high up in a tree in a garden 2 doors away from mine in Benson Oxfordshire. It called in several short bursts over about a minute or two and then flew off.

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465. At 5:35pm on 03 Oct 2009, ricmac wrote:
i heared chiff chaffs last week, they left thursday nothing since locationbromyard, herefordshire . ricmac

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466. At 5:36pm on 03 Oct 2009, rockburylass wrote:
I havnt heard any chiffchaffs this past week, but up till then in september in Bury i heard one daily,the sound of it was beautiful.

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467. At 5:41pm on 03 Oct 2009, suffolksamphire wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff the other day in virtually central Norwich. I was so surprised I had to stop and listen to make sure, but a chiffchaff it was!
We've also been watching a robin getting all emotional over my car for several days now. I park it in the same place at work most days and the robin has been under it, over it, all around it plus sitting on the wing mirrors, for most of the day. Am I right in thinking this is probably territorial behaviour - I know robins start this behaviour early, but this early?:-/

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468. At 5:47pm on 03 Oct 2009, coldman184 wrote:
Yes, we heard one twice on Thursday October 1st in the trees near our garden in Sheffield.

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469. At 5:55pm on 03 Oct 2009, Heevie1 wrote:
I live in Devon near Haytor and have had up to 3 Chiffchaff's in the garden last 3 weekends and singing regularly.
Saw one again today but not singing as weather not "spring like". Very active and happily singing last weekend.

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470. At 5:56pm on 03 Oct 2009, toddunctious wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff singing in South Croydon last weekend.

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471. At 5:57pm on 03 Oct 2009, redshank101 wrote:
I heard a chifchaff on Friday 1st of october at my place of work at Norbury in staffordshire! I know they sing before and after breeding and surely with the indian summer we have been having they are extending their singing.not sure why they sing after they have bred though?

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472. At 6:00pm on 03 Oct 2009, suecor wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff singing at about midday on 2nd October on Hampstead Heath in North London. I thought I was mistaken until I watched Autumnwatch later the same day!

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473. At 6:02pm on 03 Oct 2009, thelovelyTwitcher1 wrote:
Yes, I was birdwatching on an MoD Location where I work on the 02nd October and counted 3 Willow Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs, one of which was singing. These were in close proximity to a group of Long Tailed Tits. I also counted 4 Male and 3 female Blackcaps

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474. At 6:03pm on 03 Oct 2009, thelovelyTwitcher1 wrote:
Yes, I was birdwatching on an MoD Location (Hampshire) where I work on the 02nd October and counted 3 Willow Warblers and 2 Chiffchaffs, one of which was singing. These were in close proximity to a group of Long Tailed Tits. I also counted 4 Male and 3 female Blackcaps

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475. At 6:05pm on 03 Oct 2009, NellieN wrote:
The sun was shining, the smell of barbecue was in the air and the Chiff Chaff was singing; not at all what one expects on 27th September. The Chiff Chaff, a willow warbler and a female black cap all visited the water fountain in the garden that afternoon.

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476. At 6:05pm on 03 Oct 2009, rosyden wrote:
We heard 2 chiffchaffs singing at Lower Tamar Lake, nr Kilkhampton, two weeks ago.

Also one was heard in Valency Valley, Boscastle about 9 days ago.

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477. At 6:15pm on 03 Oct 2009, missymoo78 wrote:
I was listening to and watching a chiffchaff singing it's heart out in my garden in Hampshire all of last weekend, seemed to be loving the hot weather!

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478. At 6:17pm on 03 Oct 2009, robandi wrote:
We have heard the unmistable sound of chiffchaffs for the past two Sundays on our weekly visits to the Arundel Wildfowl & Wetlands Centre in West Sussex. Surprising, but very welcome!

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479. At 6:22pm on 03 Oct 2009, ChemChris wrote:
I was at Muncaster Castle in West Cumbria on 20th September. Heard 2 chiff chaffs, a great tit, goldcrests, coal tits and a wren all in song.

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480. At 6:26pm on 03 Oct 2009, clandonbaggie wrote:
Heard a chiffchaff in full song last Monday (28/10) at Ranmore Common - Surrey.

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481. At 6:29pm on 03 Oct 2009, tammydovey wrote:
Hi Martin i have heard the chiffchaff in my garden in Hitchin on 29/09/09.(keep up the good work)
tammy dovey

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482. At 6:40pm on 03 Oct 2009, tammydovey wrote:
Hi Martin i have heard the chiffchaff sing in my garden in HITCHIN on 29/10/09.love the show, keep up the good work
Tammy Dovey

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483. At 6:44pm on 03 Oct 2009, COSMICCHASER wrote:
I live near Thirsk, North Yorkshire and have heard a chiffchaff last weekend and on Wednesday. I think I may also have seen it sitting in the garden.

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484. At 6:48pm on 03 Oct 2009, doncvis wrote:
Heard and saw a Chiffchaff in the garden on 1/10/09 in South Shropshire.

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485. At 6:49pm on 03 Oct 2009, spencerswooder wrote:
Heard one in car park at office in Coley Park Reading at 12:30 yesterday, thought it unusual to hear it so close to town, and then to hear on Autumn watch that they should not be still about.

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486. At 6:51pm on 03 Oct 2009, bEAVIS84 wrote:
I heard chiffchaff song while I was walking in the hills in Cheltenham, Sunday before last (20th September). It was late afternoon but very warm & sunny. It was quite an odd thing to hear though so late in the year!

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487. At 7:04pm on 03 Oct 2009, radiowhiston wrote:
yh i heard 1 earlyer in the woods near my grans house i looked around and there was a nest full about 12 i think

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488. At 7:09pm on 03 Oct 2009, jerrylanfear wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff near our house in Broadstairs, Kent on Wednesday September 29th

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489. At 7:09pm on 03 Oct 2009, miriam237 wrote:
Heard one a few times in Sherwood Forest Center Parcs over the last fortnight. Same bird I think.

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490. At 7:10pm on 03 Oct 2009, Snuffyfox wrote:
We have seen two Chiffchaffs for the first time in the garden in Redhill, Surrey this month. There has been some very springlike singing, including today. What a lovely little bird.

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491. At 7:10pm on 03 Oct 2009, moomincat wrote:
Two Chiff Chaffs singing in our silver birch trees this week, first time we have heard then this time of year.

Location Lancing, West Sussex

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492. At 7:12pm on 03 Oct 2009, starjillikins wrote:
I heard a chiffchaff on Sunday 27th Sept near Morpeth in Northumberland.

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493. At 7:12pm on 03 Oct 2009, paulwfromtheden wrote:
Hi several Chiffchaffs around Beddington Sewage Farm in South London

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494. At 7:12pm on 03 Oct 2009, kate43 wrote:
I've heard Chiff Chaff's several times over the past week.

Location - Derbyshire

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495. At 7:12pm on 03 Oct 2009, strange-o wrote:
had one singing in a brighton back garden last week.. 1st years are known sometimes to break into subsong in autumn i believe, heard lots in dorset doing this a couple of years ago when the trees were literally alive with em. heard one in dorset again a fortnight ago.. clearly an increasing trend.

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496. At 7:12pm on 03 Oct 2009, josaba wrote:
11.30 a.m. wednesday 30th. Old Dear Park Richmond Surrey

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497. At 7:13pm on 03 Oct 2009, rachelarcherbarford wrote:
I too heard a chiffchaff this week, in our local woods in Essex; last heard it regularly in spring.

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498. At 7:13pm on 03 Oct 2009, Machenite wrote:
Hi Martin

We too have heard the chiff chaff singing today and for the last week or so. Not only first thing in the morning but also later in the day. It is a truly lovely sound.

PS We live in Machen, just outside Caerphilly.

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499. At 7:13pm on 03 Oct 2009, ABSmith wrote:
Yes we have heard them,

We are actually living in Holland and a little chiff chaff singing its heart out this morning in our back garden,

Barbara and Andrew in Holland

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500. At 7:13pm on 03 Oct 2009, TudorGDavies wrote:
I live in Cleeve, between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. I heard a chiff-chaff (from about two gardens away) at the beginning of this week - either Monday or Tuesday morning.

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