Having re-read Martin Garner's excellent Siberian Chiffchaff (S.c.tristis) papers, I noted that a taped song of tristis had produced a response in a bird found in Shetland (I think) that was considered a good candidate. So today Kathy and I tried it out at Monk Haven and virtually immediately brought two Siberian Chiffchaffs to the bush right next to us, outside the gate. There they indulged in a bit of wing-shivering and head-cocking; clearly drawn to and listening to the song. This was an amazingly strong response considering that it brought them 50 metres away from their feeding area at the filter beds, across open, lawned land. I have spent a few hours with these birds now and never seen them away from the feeding area before (why would they be?). That two lovely Sibes should come so far, so quickly, was remarkable. None of the more numerous collybita birds showed any interest at all. Result, I'd say!
At Dale Airfield there were 3 Lapland Buntings and at Newgale Marsh 3 Meds (2 ads and 1 2nd w) but no Glaucous Gull while we were there.
