Blue Tit at Warnham Nature Reserve
March 21st 2011 - Nikon D300S 200-400 - f4, 1/640th sec, ISO 200
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Blue Tit
Visited Warnham Nature Reserve on Monday 21st March, 2011 and yet another Blue Tit photo. I hope that you like it! They are so cute and photogenic.
Nuthatch
Nuthatch
We drove down to The New Forest today (23rd March, 2011) in the hope of getting some photographs of Bramblings and possibly sighting an elusive Dartford Warbler. Other photos to follow, but I had to upload this batch first. I don't usually like any feeder shots but I quite like these of a beautiful Nuthatch. Not really sure if it is a male or female, but my guess would be a male.
We drove down to The New Forest today (23rd March, 2011) in the hope of getting some photographs of Bramblings and possibly sighting an elusive Dartford Warbler. Other photos to follow, but I had to upload this batch first. I don't usually like any feeder shots but I quite like these of a beautiful Nuthatch. Not really sure if it is a male or female, but my guess would be a male.
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| Nuthatch: Nikon D300S f4, 1/640th sexc, ISO 280 |
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| Nuthatch: Nikon D300S f4, 1/640th sexc, ISO 280 |
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| Nuthatch: Nikon D300S f4, 1/800th sexc, ISO 360 |
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| Nuthatch: Nikon D300S f4, 1/800th sexc, ISO 360 |
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Siskin
Siskin
Latin name
Carduelis spinus
Family
Finches (Fringillidae)
Description:
The siskin is a small, lively finch, which is smaller than a greenfinch. It has a distinctly forked tail and a long narrow bill. The male has a streaky yellow-green body and a black crown and bib. There are yellow patches in the wings and tail. It is mainly a resident breeder from southern England to northern Scotland, but is most numerous in Scotland and Wales. Many breeding birds are residents; in winter birds arrive here also from Europe.
Where to see them
In the breeding season, look for it in the tops of trees in suitable habitat in Scotland and Wales, where they are fairly common. In winter they are seen more widely across England as well.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds, especially of conifers, alders and birch, and some insects.
Latin name
Carduelis spinus
Family
Finches (Fringillidae)
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Nikon 300S f4, 1/400th sec, ISO 280
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| Male Siskin 15th February 2013 Warnham |
The siskin is a small, lively finch, which is smaller than a greenfinch. It has a distinctly forked tail and a long narrow bill. The male has a streaky yellow-green body and a black crown and bib. There are yellow patches in the wings and tail. It is mainly a resident breeder from southern England to northern Scotland, but is most numerous in Scotland and Wales. Many breeding birds are residents; in winter birds arrive here also from Europe.
Where to see them
In the breeding season, look for it in the tops of trees in suitable habitat in Scotland and Wales, where they are fairly common. In winter they are seen more widely across England as well.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds, especially of conifers, alders and birch, and some insects.
Reed Bunting
Reed Bunting
Latin name
Emberiza schoeniclus
Family
Buntings (Emberizidae)
Description
Sparrow-sized but slim and with a long, deeply notched tail, the male has a black head, white collar and a drooping moustache. Females and winter males have a streaked head. In flight the tail looks black with broad, white edges.
Where to see them:
Predominantly a farmland and wetland bird. Typically found in wet vegetation but has recently spread into farmland and, in winter, into gardens. When singing the male usually perched on top of a bush, or reed.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds and insects
Latin name
Emberiza schoeniclus
Family
Buntings (Emberizidae)
Description
Sparrow-sized but slim and with a long, deeply notched tail, the male has a black head, white collar and a drooping moustache. Females and winter males have a streaked head. In flight the tail looks black with broad, white edges.
Where to see them:
Predominantly a farmland and wetland bird. Typically found in wet vegetation but has recently spread into farmland and, in winter, into gardens. When singing the male usually perched on top of a bush, or reed.
When to see them
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds and insects
Long-tailed Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Latin name
Aegithalos caudatus
Family
Long-tailed tits (Aegithalidae)
Description:
The long-tailed tit is easily recognisable with its distinctive colouring, a tail that is bigger than its body, and undulating flight. Gregarious and noisy residents, long-tailed tits are most usually noticed in small, excitable flocks of about 20 birds. Like most tits, they rove the woods and hedgerows, but are also seen on heaths and commons with suitable bushes.
Where to see them:
Found across the UK except for the far north and west of Scotland. They can be seen in woodland, farmland hedgerows, scrubland, parkland and gardens. In winter they form flocks with other tit species.
When to see them:
All year round
What they eat:
Insects, occasionally seeds in autumn and winter
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| Long-tailed Tit at Warnham Nature Reserve 4th March 2011 - Nikon D300S 1/1000th sec f4, ISO400 |
Latin name
Aegithalos caudatus
Family
Long-tailed tits (Aegithalidae)
Description:
The long-tailed tit is easily recognisable with its distinctive colouring, a tail that is bigger than its body, and undulating flight. Gregarious and noisy residents, long-tailed tits are most usually noticed in small, excitable flocks of about 20 birds. Like most tits, they rove the woods and hedgerows, but are also seen on heaths and commons with suitable bushes.
Where to see them:
Found across the UK except for the far north and west of Scotland. They can be seen in woodland, farmland hedgerows, scrubland, parkland and gardens. In winter they form flocks with other tit species.
When to see them:
All year round
What they eat:
Insects, occasionally seeds in autumn and winter
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Long-tailed Tit - Pulborough Brooks January 2011
Nikon D300S 200-400, f4, 1/200th sec, ISO 280
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Brambling
Brambling
Latin name
Fringilla montifringilla
Family
Finches (Fringillidae)
Description:
Similar in size and shape to the chaffinch, the male has a black head in summer, and an orange breast with white belly. In flight it shows a long white rump. Gregarious in winter, it may form flocks of many thousands and often joins with chaffinches. Numbers can vary between winters depending on food supplies.
Where to see them:
In winter likes beech woodland, farmland fields near woods. Look in flocks of chaffinches and other finches. In autumn look along east coast woodlands and fields. Will visit gardens in winter.
When to see them
Watch out for them from mid-September until March and April. Occasional birds stay into May or even later.
What they eat:
Seeds in winter; insects in summer.
Latin name
Fringilla montifringilla
Family
Finches (Fringillidae)
Description:
Similar in size and shape to the chaffinch, the male has a black head in summer, and an orange breast with white belly. In flight it shows a long white rump. Gregarious in winter, it may form flocks of many thousands and often joins with chaffinches. Numbers can vary between winters depending on food supplies.
Where to see them:
In winter likes beech woodland, farmland fields near woods. Look in flocks of chaffinches and other finches. In autumn look along east coast woodlands and fields. Will visit gardens in winter.
When to see them
Watch out for them from mid-September until March and April. Occasional birds stay into May or even later.
What they eat:
Seeds in winter; insects in summer.
The following photos were taken at Blashford Lakes on 23rd March, 2011
Black Redstart
Black Redstart
Latin name
Phoenicurus ochruros
Family
Chats and thrushes (Turdidae)
Description:
The black redstart is a small robin-sized bird that has adapted to live at the heart of industrial and urban centres. Its name comes from the plumage of the male, which is grey-black in colour with a red tail. With fewer than 100 breeding pairs in the UK, the black redstart is on the amber list of Birds of Conservation Concern.
Where to see them
Breeding birds occur mainly in urban areas of Greater London, Birmingham and the Black Country with a few pairs in Nottingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Ipswich, and the odd pair at cliff sites and power stations along the south coast between Suffolk and Dorset. There is a good spring passage of black redstarts through the UK and Ireland and they can turn up anywhere, but particularly at the coast. On return passage in autumn, they can be relatively numerous in places like the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall. In winter, a small number are found from Lancashire and Lincolnshire southwards, and along the south coast.
When to see them:
Breeding birds and spring passage migrants arrive between March and May. Autumn passage lasts from September to November, peaking in October. Wintering birds are present between late autumn and early spring.
What they eat
Insects, spiders, worms, berries and seeds.
Latin name
Phoenicurus ochruros
Family
Chats and thrushes (Turdidae)
Description:
The black redstart is a small robin-sized bird that has adapted to live at the heart of industrial and urban centres. Its name comes from the plumage of the male, which is grey-black in colour with a red tail. With fewer than 100 breeding pairs in the UK, the black redstart is on the amber list of Birds of Conservation Concern.
Where to see them
Breeding birds occur mainly in urban areas of Greater London, Birmingham and the Black Country with a few pairs in Nottingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Ipswich, and the odd pair at cliff sites and power stations along the south coast between Suffolk and Dorset. There is a good spring passage of black redstarts through the UK and Ireland and they can turn up anywhere, but particularly at the coast. On return passage in autumn, they can be relatively numerous in places like the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall. In winter, a small number are found from Lancashire and Lincolnshire southwards, and along the south coast.
When to see them:
Breeding birds and spring passage migrants arrive between March and May. Autumn passage lasts from September to November, peaking in October. Wintering birds are present between late autumn and early spring.
What they eat
Insects, spiders, worms, berries and seeds.
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Black Redstart Worthing December 2010
Nikon D300S f4.5, 1/200th sec, ISO 200
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Black Redstart Worthing December 2010
Nikon D300S f4, 1/1000th sec, ISO 560
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Black Redstart Worthing December 2010
Nikon D300S f4, 1/1000th sec, ISO 560
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House Sparrow
House Sparrow
Latin name
Passer domesticus
Family
Sparrows (Passeridae)
Description:
Noisy and gregarious, these cheerful exploiters of man's rubbish and wastefulness, have even managed to colonise most of the world. The ultimate opportunist perhaps, but now struggling to survive in the UK along with many other once common birds. They are clearly declining in both gardens and the wider countryside and their recent declines have earned them a place on the Red List.
Where to see them:
Found from the centre of cities to the farmland of the countryside, it feeds and breeds near to people. Vanishing from the centre of many cities, but not uncommon in most towns and villages. It is absent from parts of the Scottish Highlands and is thinly distributed in most upland areas.
When to see them:
All year round
What they eat:
Seeds and scraps
Latin name
Passer domesticus
Family
Sparrows (Passeridae)
Description:
Noisy and gregarious, these cheerful exploiters of man's rubbish and wastefulness, have even managed to colonise most of the world. The ultimate opportunist perhaps, but now struggling to survive in the UK along with many other once common birds. They are clearly declining in both gardens and the wider countryside and their recent declines have earned them a place on the Red List.
Where to see them:
Found from the centre of cities to the farmland of the countryside, it feeds and breeds near to people. Vanishing from the centre of many cities, but not uncommon in most towns and villages. It is absent from parts of the Scottish Highlands and is thinly distributed in most upland areas.
When to see them:
All year round
What they eat:
Seeds and scraps
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House Sparrow Pulborough Brooks August 2010
Nikon D300S 200-400 f6.3, 1/400th sec, ISO400
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Nikon D300S - f5.6, 1/800th sec, ISO 400
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House Sparrow - Pulborough Brooks January 2011
Nikon D300S - f5, 1/800th sec, ISO320
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House Sparrow Pulborough Brooks August 2010
Nikon D300S 200-400 f5, 1/250th sec, ISO200
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House Sparrow Pulborough Brooks December 2010
Nikon D300S 200-400 f4, 1/250th sec, ISO 200
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Treecreeper
Treecreeper
Latin name
Certhia familiaris
Family
Treecreepers (Certhidae)
Description:
The treecreeper is small, very active, bird that lives in trees. It has a long, slender, downcurved bill. It is speckly brown above and mainly white below. It breeds in the UK and is resident here. Birds leave their breeding territories in autumn but most range no further than 20 km. Its population is mainly stable.
Where to see them:
Best looked for on the trunks of trees in suitable woodland. In autumn and winter, it often joins flocks of tits and other small birds, so if you come across such a flock in a wood, it is worth listening out for a treecreeper among them.
When to see them:
All year round.
What they eat:
Insects and spiders, and some seeds in winter.
Latin name
Certhia familiaris
Family
Treecreepers (Certhidae)
Description:
The treecreeper is small, very active, bird that lives in trees. It has a long, slender, downcurved bill. It is speckly brown above and mainly white below. It breeds in the UK and is resident here. Birds leave their breeding territories in autumn but most range no further than 20 km. Its population is mainly stable.
Where to see them:
Best looked for on the trunks of trees in suitable woodland. In autumn and winter, it often joins flocks of tits and other small birds, so if you come across such a flock in a wood, it is worth listening out for a treecreeper among them.
When to see them:
All year round.
What they eat:
Insects and spiders, and some seeds in winter.
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| Treecreeper at Pulborough Brooks West Sussex December 2010 Nikon D300S 200-400, f4, 1/400th sec, ISO 320 |
Turnstone
Turnstone
Latin name
Arenaria interpres
Family
Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Description:
Smaller than a redshank, turnstones have a mottled appearance with brown or chestnut and black upperparts and brown and white or black and white head pattern, whilst their underparts are white and legs orange. They spend most of their time creeping and fluttering over rocks, picking out food from under stones.
Where to see them:
All around the UK coastline. Likes rocky shores as well as sandy and muddy ones. Particularly likes feeding on rocks covered with seaweed, and will feed along seawalls and jetties.
When to see them:
Present for most of the year. Birds from Northern Europe pass through in July and August and again spring. Canadian and Greenland birds arrive in August and September and remain until April and May. Non-breeding birds may stay through the summer.
What they eat:
Insects, crustaceans and molluscs.
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| Turnstone - Pagham Harbour Beach 20th March 2011 |
Latin name
Arenaria interpres
Family
Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Description:
Smaller than a redshank, turnstones have a mottled appearance with brown or chestnut and black upperparts and brown and white or black and white head pattern, whilst their underparts are white and legs orange. They spend most of their time creeping and fluttering over rocks, picking out food from under stones.
Where to see them:
All around the UK coastline. Likes rocky shores as well as sandy and muddy ones. Particularly likes feeding on rocks covered with seaweed, and will feed along seawalls and jetties.
When to see them:
Present for most of the year. Birds from Northern Europe pass through in July and August and again spring. Canadian and Greenland birds arrive in August and September and remain until April and May. Non-breeding birds may stay through the summer.
What they eat:
Insects, crustaceans and molluscs.
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| Turnstone Pagham March 2011 Nikon D300S 200-400 + 1.4 Converter, f5.6, 1/640th sec, ISO 200 |
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| Turnstone Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve March 2011 Nikon D300S 200-400 + 1.4 Converter, f5.6, 1/640th sec, ISO 200 |
Dunlin
Dunlin
Description:
The commonest small wader found along the coast. It has a slightly down-curved bill and a distinctive black belly patch in breeding plumage. It feeds in flocks in winter, sometimes numbering thousands, roosting on nearby fields, saltmarshes and shore when the tide is high.
Where to see them:
Breeds in the uplands of Scotland, Wales and England. Greatest numbers found on the Western and Northern Isles and the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland in scotland, in the Pennines in England. Found on all UK estuaries with largest numbers in winter.
When to see them:
All year round on the coast. On breeding grounds from April to July.
What they eat:
Insects, snails and worms.
The following Dunlin photos were taken at Pagham during March 2011
Description:
The commonest small wader found along the coast. It has a slightly down-curved bill and a distinctive black belly patch in breeding plumage. It feeds in flocks in winter, sometimes numbering thousands, roosting on nearby fields, saltmarshes and shore when the tide is high.
Where to see them:
Breeds in the uplands of Scotland, Wales and England. Greatest numbers found on the Western and Northern Isles and the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland in scotland, in the Pennines in England. Found on all UK estuaries with largest numbers in winter.
When to see them:
All year round on the coast. On breeding grounds from April to July.
What they eat:
Insects, snails and worms.
The following Dunlin photos were taken at Pagham during March 2011
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Latin name
Dendrocopos major
Family
Wrynecks and woodpeckers (Picidae)
Description:
About blackbird-sized and striking black-and-white. It has a very distinctive bouncing flight and spends most of its time clinging to tree trunks and branches, often trying to hide on the side away from the observer. Its presence is often announced by its loud call or by its distinctive spring 'drumming' display. The male has a distinctive red patch on the back of the head and young birds have a red crown.
Where to see them:
Woodlands, especially with mature broad-leaved trees, although mature conifers will support them. Also in parks and large gardens. Will come to peanut feeders and birdtables. Not found in the far North of Scotland. Only a handful of pairs nest in Ireland, but numbers are increasing. Common in England and Wales.
When to see them:
All year round.
What they eat:
Insects, seeds and nuts.
This Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen at Warnham Nature Reserve November 2010
Latin name
Dendrocopos major
Family
Wrynecks and woodpeckers (Picidae)
Description:
About blackbird-sized and striking black-and-white. It has a very distinctive bouncing flight and spends most of its time clinging to tree trunks and branches, often trying to hide on the side away from the observer. Its presence is often announced by its loud call or by its distinctive spring 'drumming' display. The male has a distinctive red patch on the back of the head and young birds have a red crown.
Where to see them:
Woodlands, especially with mature broad-leaved trees, although mature conifers will support them. Also in parks and large gardens. Will come to peanut feeders and birdtables. Not found in the far North of Scotland. Only a handful of pairs nest in Ireland, but numbers are increasing. Common in England and Wales.
When to see them:
All year round.
What they eat:
Insects, seeds and nuts.
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Great Spotted Woodpecker
Nikon D300S - Setting f4, 1/800th sec, ISO 500
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Redshank
Redshank
Latin name
Tringa totanus
Family
Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Description:
The redshank is a medium-sized wading bird. It has longish red legs and a long, straight bill. It is grey-brown above and whitish below. In flight, it shows very obvious white rear edges to the wings and a white 'V-shape' up its back. The greatest concentrations of breeding birds are in parts of Scotland and north-west England. In winter, as many as half of the birds in Britain may be from Iceland. The numbers breeding on farmland are declining, due to drainage of farmland. Overgrazing of coastal marshes is also removing breeding habitat and breeding birds are increasingly dependent on nature reserves.
Where to see them:
The redshank is an abundant and widespread wading bird on coasts - look for it at RSPB coastal reserves. Inland, you can look for it at reserves where there is wet grassland for it breed and feed on, especially in the northern half of the UK.
When to see them
All year round
What they eat
Insects, earthworms, molluscs, crustaceans
The following Redshank was seen at the North Wall, Pagham Harbour West Sussex in November 2010. Due to the weather and the lack of sunshine I wasn't able to get the 'catch-light' that I like to have in teh bird's eye. Tha aside I hope that you might like the photos.
Latin name
Tringa totanus
Family
Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Description:
The redshank is a medium-sized wading bird. It has longish red legs and a long, straight bill. It is grey-brown above and whitish below. In flight, it shows very obvious white rear edges to the wings and a white 'V-shape' up its back. The greatest concentrations of breeding birds are in parts of Scotland and north-west England. In winter, as many as half of the birds in Britain may be from Iceland. The numbers breeding on farmland are declining, due to drainage of farmland. Overgrazing of coastal marshes is also removing breeding habitat and breeding birds are increasingly dependent on nature reserves.
Where to see them:
The redshank is an abundant and widespread wading bird on coasts - look for it at RSPB coastal reserves. Inland, you can look for it at reserves where there is wet grassland for it breed and feed on, especially in the northern half of the UK.
When to see them
All year round
What they eat
Insects, earthworms, molluscs, crustaceans
The following Redshank was seen at the North Wall, Pagham Harbour West Sussex in November 2010. Due to the weather and the lack of sunshine I wasn't able to get the 'catch-light' that I like to have in teh bird's eye. Tha aside I hope that you might like the photos.
Brent Goose
Brent Goose
Latin name
Branta bernicla
Family
Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Description:
A small, dark goose - the same size as a mallard. It has a black head and neck and grey-brown back, with either a pale or dark belly, depending on the race. Adults have a small white neck patch. It flies in loose flocks along the coast, rather than in tight skeins like grey geese. It is an Amber List species because of the important numbers found at just a few sites.
Where to see them:
Estuaries and saltmarshes. Main concentrations of dark-bellied birds in the Wash, the North Norfolk coastal marshes, Essex estuaries, the Thames Estuary and Chichester and Langstone Harbours. Most light-bellied birds are found at Strangford Lough and Lough Foyle, N Ireland and at Lindisfarne, Northumberland.
When to see them:
Birds arrive in October and depart again in March.
What they eat:
Vegetation, especially eel-grass.
Worldwide distribution:
In the UK:
Coasts of N, E and S England, and N Ireland.
In Europe
Arctic islands (breeding); Denmark, Netherlands, France, UK and Ireland (winter)
Worldwide:
Europe, Asia and N America
Latin name
Branta bernicla
Family
Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Description:
A small, dark goose - the same size as a mallard. It has a black head and neck and grey-brown back, with either a pale or dark belly, depending on the race. Adults have a small white neck patch. It flies in loose flocks along the coast, rather than in tight skeins like grey geese. It is an Amber List species because of the important numbers found at just a few sites.
Where to see them:
Estuaries and saltmarshes. Main concentrations of dark-bellied birds in the Wash, the North Norfolk coastal marshes, Essex estuaries, the Thames Estuary and Chichester and Langstone Harbours. Most light-bellied birds are found at Strangford Lough and Lough Foyle, N Ireland and at Lindisfarne, Northumberland.
When to see them:
Birds arrive in October and depart again in March.
What they eat:
Vegetation, especially eel-grass.
Worldwide distribution:
In the UK:
Coasts of N, E and S England, and N Ireland.
In Europe
Arctic islands (breeding); Denmark, Netherlands, France, UK and Ireland (winter)
Worldwide:
Europe, Asia and N America
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Dark Bellied Brent Goose October 2010 Pagham
Nikon D300S f4, 1/1000th sec, ISO 200
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Turnstone
Turnstone
Latin name
Arenaria interpres
Family
Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Description:
Smaller than a redshank, turnstones have a mottled appearance with brown or chestnut and black upperparts and brown and white or black and white head pattern, whilst their underparts are white and legs orange. They spend most of their time creeping and fluttering over rocks, picking out food from under stones. They can be quite difficult to photograph as they generally doen't stay still for very long, usually on the look-out for food.
Where to see them:
All around the UK coastline. Likes rocky shores as well as sandy and muddy ones. Particularly likes feeding on rocks covered with seaweed, and will feed along seawalls and jetties.
When to see them:
They are present for most of the year. Birds from Northern Europe pass through in July and August and again spring. Canadian and Greenland birds arrive in August and September and remain until April and May. Non-breeding birds may stay through the summer.
What they eat
Insects, crustaceans and molluscs.
Latin name
Arenaria interpres
Family
Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Description:
Smaller than a redshank, turnstones have a mottled appearance with brown or chestnut and black upperparts and brown and white or black and white head pattern, whilst their underparts are white and legs orange. They spend most of their time creeping and fluttering over rocks, picking out food from under stones. They can be quite difficult to photograph as they generally doen't stay still for very long, usually on the look-out for food.
Where to see them:
All around the UK coastline. Likes rocky shores as well as sandy and muddy ones. Particularly likes feeding on rocks covered with seaweed, and will feed along seawalls and jetties.
When to see them:
They are present for most of the year. Birds from Northern Europe pass through in July and August and again spring. Canadian and Greenland birds arrive in August and September and remain until April and May. Non-breeding birds may stay through the summer.
What they eat
Insects, crustaceans and molluscs.
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| Turnstone West Sussex Coast October 2010 Nikion D300S f4, 1/1250th sec, ISO 320 |
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Grey Heron
Grey Heron
Family
Bitterns and herons (Ardeidae)
Description:
The largest European heron. It can stand with neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunch down with its neck bent over its chest. In flight it holds its neck retracted and has large rounded wings. It is usually solitary although several birds may feed fairly close together. It stalks its food, often standing motionless for some considerable time. It usually feeds close to the bank or shore, but may wade out into shallow water.
Where to see them
Wetland marshes, gravel pits, reservoirs, lakes and rivers and estuaries. Usually seen standing silently at the water's edge, waiting for prey. Will come to gardens with ornamental fish ponds and fish farms.
When to see them:
All year round
What they eat:
Mainly fish
Family
Bitterns and herons (Ardeidae)
Description:
The largest European heron. It can stand with neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunch down with its neck bent over its chest. In flight it holds its neck retracted and has large rounded wings. It is usually solitary although several birds may feed fairly close together. It stalks its food, often standing motionless for some considerable time. It usually feeds close to the bank or shore, but may wade out into shallow water.
Where to see them
Wetland marshes, gravel pits, reservoirs, lakes and rivers and estuaries. Usually seen standing silently at the water's edge, waiting for prey. Will come to gardens with ornamental fish ponds and fish farms.
When to see them:
All year round
What they eat:
Mainly fish
Chiffchaff
Chiffchaff
Family
Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)
Description:
A small olive-brown warbler which actively flits through trees and shrubs, with a distinctive tail-wagging movement. Less bright than the similar willow warbler and readily distinguished by its song, from where it gets its name. Picks insects from trees and also flies out to snap them up in flight.
Where to see them
Lowland woodlands, parks and large gardens.
When to see them
All year round, but most arrive in late March and depart in August and September.
What they eat
Insects.
The following confiding Chiffchaff was seen in Pagham Harbour during late October, 2010
Family
Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)
Description:
A small olive-brown warbler which actively flits through trees and shrubs, with a distinctive tail-wagging movement. Less bright than the similar willow warbler and readily distinguished by its song, from where it gets its name. Picks insects from trees and also flies out to snap them up in flight.
Where to see them
Lowland woodlands, parks and large gardens.
When to see them
All year round, but most arrive in late March and depart in August and September.
What they eat
Insects.
The following confiding Chiffchaff was seen in Pagham Harbour during late October, 2010
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Photo taken with Nikon D300S f5.6, 1/500th sec, ISO 200
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| Chiffchaff at Pagham Harbour 25th March 2011 |
Dartford Warbler
Dartford Warbler
Family
Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)
Description:
This small, dark, long-tailed warbler is resident in the UK and has suffered in the past from severe winters. Its population crashed to a few pairs in the 1960s, since when it has gradually recovered, increasing in both numbers and range. It is still regarded as an Amber List species. It will perch on top of a gorse stem to sing, but is often seen as a small flying shape bobbing between bushes.
Where to see them:
Lowland heathland with gorse and heather. Look for them at RSPB reserves at Arne, Dorset; Aylesbeare, Devon; and North Warren Suffolk. Also try Dunwich Heath, Suffolk, the Surrey and Dorset heathlands, and the New Forest.
When to see them:
All year round.
What they eat:
Insects
The following Dartford Warbler was seen at Pagham Harbour during late October, 2010 What a fabulous little bird they are. Very difficult to see but quite a distinctive call when you get the chance to hear them. They are very rare and on the 'Red List', so if you do see one then please keep your distance. The following photos were taken with a fairly substantial zoom lens and quite considerably cropped.
Family
Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)
Description:
This small, dark, long-tailed warbler is resident in the UK and has suffered in the past from severe winters. Its population crashed to a few pairs in the 1960s, since when it has gradually recovered, increasing in both numbers and range. It is still regarded as an Amber List species. It will perch on top of a gorse stem to sing, but is often seen as a small flying shape bobbing between bushes.
Where to see them:
Lowland heathland with gorse and heather. Look for them at RSPB reserves at Arne, Dorset; Aylesbeare, Devon; and North Warren Suffolk. Also try Dunwich Heath, Suffolk, the Surrey and Dorset heathlands, and the New Forest.
When to see them:
All year round.
What they eat:
Insects
The following Dartford Warbler was seen at Pagham Harbour during late October, 2010 What a fabulous little bird they are. Very difficult to see but quite a distinctive call when you get the chance to hear them. They are very rare and on the 'Red List', so if you do see one then please keep your distance. The following photos were taken with a fairly substantial zoom lens and quite considerably cropped.
Snow Bunting
Snow Bunting
Description:
Snow buntings are large buntings, with striking `snowy' plumages. Males in summer have all white heads and underparts contrasting with a black mantle and wing tips. Females are a more mottled above. In autumn and winter birds develop a sandy/buff wash to their plumage and males have more mottled upperparts. Globally they breed around the arctic from Scandinavia to Alaska, Canada and Greenland and migrate south in winter. They are a scarce breeding species in the UK, in Scotland, making tham an Amber List species. They are more widespread in winter in the north and east when residents are joined by continental birds.
Where to see them
Best looked for in winter on coastal sites in Scotland and eastern England (usually as far south as Kent - but during 2010 in West Sussex).
When to see them
Most commonly seen in winter, arriving from late September and leaving in February and March.
What they eat
Seeds and insects
We were lucky ernough to see this confiding Snow Bunting on 22nd October, 2010, which had made a home on the South Downs Way on the top of Kithurst Hill, where hikers, bikers, bird-spotters, photographers, and walkers with dogs all went past without the little Snow Bunting being bothered at all. It was possible to get within 1 metre of the little bird. I was using my trusty
Description:
Snow buntings are large buntings, with striking `snowy' plumages. Males in summer have all white heads and underparts contrasting with a black mantle and wing tips. Females are a more mottled above. In autumn and winter birds develop a sandy/buff wash to their plumage and males have more mottled upperparts. Globally they breed around the arctic from Scandinavia to Alaska, Canada and Greenland and migrate south in winter. They are a scarce breeding species in the UK, in Scotland, making tham an Amber List species. They are more widespread in winter in the north and east when residents are joined by continental birds.
Where to see them
Best looked for in winter on coastal sites in Scotland and eastern England (usually as far south as Kent - but during 2010 in West Sussex).
When to see them
Most commonly seen in winter, arriving from late September and leaving in February and March.
What they eat
Seeds and insects
We were lucky ernough to see this confiding Snow Bunting on 22nd October, 2010, which had made a home on the South Downs Way on the top of Kithurst Hill, where hikers, bikers, bird-spotters, photographers, and walkers with dogs all went past without the little Snow Bunting being bothered at all. It was possible to get within 1 metre of the little bird. I was using my trusty
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Kithurst Hill, West Sussex October 2010
Nikon D300S and 200-400 Lens and the settings were f6.3, 1/640th sec, and ISO 200
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Kithurst Hill, West Sussex October 2010
Nikon D300S and 200-400 Lens and the settings were f5.6, 1/1000th sec, and ISO 200
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