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: 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: Waxwing
Waxwings are on my Ultimate Ticklist...I may weep if I actually saw one, and that goes double if I have my binoculars with me. I know they have been seen not infrequently here in East Sussex but sadly I have not had the pleasure. They are glorious to paint though, and a bird book I … Continue reading Bird of the day: Waxwing
