Long-tailed tits have surprisingly large personalities for such tiny birds. I see them frequently at this time of year in flocks of ten or more, twittering through the hedgerows looking for food. They eat small invertebrates, and eggs and caterpillars of moths and butterflies, so benefit from relaxed management. Many species of butterfly lay their … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Long-tailed Tit
Bird of the Day: Wheatear
I remember showing my children this bird when we lived down by the harbour in Eastbourne, as they would flit around on the shoreline during autumn on their way back to Africa. They have a distinctive white and black eye stripe combination, and diagnostic white rump. One of the books I used a lot when … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Wheatear
Bird of the Day: Greenfinch
Greenfinches are one of our more common species, although they do suffer with a disease carried by parasites which contributed to a recent decline; keeping bird feeders clean and hygienic is really important especially if you are fortunate to get a lot of visitors to them. They are a chunky finch, with a rather disapproving … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Greenfinch
Bird of the Day: Stonechat
The stonechat is onomatopoeic, in that its call sounds like two pebbles being struck together, and likes to perch on conspicuously on posts and perches. Consequently it is quite an easy bird to spot and identify, as the colouring with the call and characteristic behaviour add up to nothing other than a stonechat; often bird … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Stonechat
Bird of the Day: Grey Wagtail
At the moment, there is a large flock of pied wagtails enjoying the insects on the arable field behind my house, and I've had 4 or 5 of them flitting around on my roof. Often in the summer, grey wagtails visit the river by the watermill down the lane. They are a really beautiful bird … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Grey Wagtail
Bird of the Day: Shelduck
Firstly, can we all take a moment to appreciate the gorgeous mint humbugness that is a Shelduck duckling: This photo was taken at Arundel WWT, which as I have mentioned before, has been formative in shaping my love of birds and birdwatching. Male shelducks are incredibly handsome, and like the eider, are seaducks so mainly … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Shelduck
Bird of the Day: Kestrel
One of our most familiar raptors, most of us have seen a kestrel hovering over verges as we drive along dual carriageways. There is a pair living in the copse behind my house but I never see juveniles or youngsters; there is a very successful buzzard family living there too so perhaps they are squeezing … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Kestrel
Bird of the Day: Sparrowhawk
My most engaging experiences with sparrowhawks have been the handful of occasions when I have been driving along a lane or hedgerow, and a 'sprawk' has flown alongside or in front of me. They fly at hedge-height and hug the contours of the landscape as they fly, hoping to ambush an unsuspecting passerine so are … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Sparrowhawk
Bird of the Day: Brambling
Bramblings are gorgeous little finches, and are often called an orange chaffinch, for obvious reasons. They are indeed very similar to chaffinches, although when you see them in detail, they have a lot of differences too! I remember first seeing them at a RSPB or WWT reserve but I can't recall which one... I don't … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Brambling
Bird of the Day: Linnet
My house in Hellingly is a short drive from Ashdown Forest, which is a forest in a historical sense rather than arboreal. Originally a hunting ground for King William and the Normans, the last 900 years have produced a curious mix of seemingly wild yet highly managed heathland and woodland. The birdlife is fabulous, and … Continue reading Bird of the Day: Linnet
