These birds are at Croome in the spring, summer and autumn. In fact, they are usually the first migrant to arrive in the spring. They are much more noticeable at this time when they can be heard singing out their loud characteristic song (chiff-chaff chiff-chaff chiff-chaff). If you hear one singing, look at the top of the trees - they usually perch near the very top to make the sound travel even further. When not singing they can be found hopping around the branches in wooded areas, but they are quite a drab bird, with few characteristic features other than a relatively dull eye stripe, and dark legs and feet.