Wintering warblers?

[steveduke]

The only warblers I'm aware of that winter properly in Britain are Cetti's, Chiffchaff, Dartford and Blackcap.  Is that right, or out of date with climate change?  I noticed Daniel's post of a Willow Warbler today, and I had a Chiffchaff yesterday.  Overwinterers?  Surely not early arrivals?  And what are the records like in our area?

[Dan hymer]

Im not sure what the records are like! But certainly i took a double take when I heard it, then I got a work freind in to verify it to make sure!

[steveduke]

Yeah, your post interested me because not only did I have the Chiffchaff yesterday, but a couple of days ago I thought I heard a W.W. song in a place where they breed in numbers in summer.  It is a pretty distinctive song, and the temperature today was at least 10 degrees!
Steve

[Dan hymer]

It could be related to climate change, but you would think that with the recent weather we have had they would of waited if they were arriving early! Unless of course they have over wintered here! I certainly have not seen nor heard any before today! Im at Newham Hall 5 Days a week! So I think I would off noticed any signs during winter!

[steveduke]

Looks like the Willow Warbler thing is well-known, this is from a couple of years ago.  Check out:
http://www.bto.org/survey/complete/winter-warblers/wintering_warblers.htm