|
Status/distribution
Chiffchaffs are more abundant in the southern half of Britain
than in the north and are quite scarce in Scotland. They prefer
habitat with tall deciduous trees but will occur in coniferous
plantations if some broadleaves are present.
Since the mid 1980s the numbers of Chiffchaffs recorded by
the Common Birds Census
and the Constant
Effort Sites Scheme has increased. It is possible
that better over-winter survival conditions have driven this
increase. Detailed information on Chiffchaff population trends
and breeding success is given on the Wider
Countryside Report web pages.
Timing of migration
Some Chiffchaffs spend the winter in Britain and Ireland so
determining the first 'spring' arrivals each year can be difficult.
By the beginning of March migrants have reached many south
coast sites and by late March migration is in full flow. Bird
Observatory data suggests that in the east the main
arrival does not occur before the middle of April.
|
