A late Chiff

Today I made it out for a few hours in the relatively still and bright (ish) weather. As usual I started at Sydvestpynten and a root around the bushes there produced a late Chiffchaff. We are used to these warblers wintering in the UK but they are much scarcer in Denmark in the winter months so I thought it could be a 'tristis' or the closely related 'abietinus' eastern subspecies. The bird called several times and the call was just right for 'tristis' - a plaintive single note call, similar to a Bullfinch. However, after watching the bird for at least half an hour I realised that it wasn't a true 'tristis'. It lacks the all-black bill and the chestnut coloration on the cheeks. So, although it looks quite pale and lacking in yellowish/greenish tones, it is obviously some other eastern race or maybe a hybrid.

Also seen today were 3 Hen Harriers (including a male, a female and a 1st winter), a Rough-legged Buzzard, a mixed flock of Long-tailed Tits (including 'northern' caudatus and 'europeaus' subspecies), a 1st winter Goshawk, 15 Woodlark, 22 Twite and a single Curlew.

Photos below: the 'eastern' Chiffchaff; Long-tailed Tit; and Hen Harrier