Fieldfare

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Fieldfare

Latin Name: Turdus pilaris

Nikon D300S 500mm 5.6, 1/800th, ISO 320

Photo taken at Shirley, Croydon

30th November 2012

Overview

Fieldfares are large, colourful thrushes, much like a mistle thrush in general size, shape and behaviour. They stand very upright and move forward with purposeful hops. They are very social birds, spending the winter in flocks of anything from a dozen or two to several hundred strong. These straggling, chuckling flocks that roam the UK's countryside are a delightful and attractive part of the winter scene.
Where to see them

Best looked for in the countryside, along hedges and in fields. Hawthorn hedges with berries are a favourite feeding area. In late winter grass fields, playing fields and arable fields with nearby trees and hedges are a favourite place. May come into gardens in severe winters when snow covers the countryside.
When to see them

They begin to arrive from October and numbers build up as the winter progresses. Birds start to return in March and some may stay into May.
What they eat

Insects, worms and berries.

Redstart

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Redstart

 Redstart (female) Ashdown Forest 13th May, 2012

Nikon D300S 500mm

Overview

Redstarts are immediately identifiable by their bright orange-red tails, which they often quiver. Breeding males look smart, with slate grey upper parts, black faces and wings, and an orange rump and chest. Females and young are duller. Redstarts 'bob' in a very robin-like manner, but spend little time at ground level. It is included on the Amber List as species with unfavourable conservation status in Europe where it is declining.

Where to see them

Mainly found in the north and west of the UK, with the greatest concentrations in Wales. Particularly likes oak woodlands, also hedgerows, alongside streams and parkland. On passage in is best looked for in coastal scrub, thickets and woodland.

When to see them

April to September

What they eat

Mainly insects; also spiders, worms and berries.

Whitethroat

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Whitethroat

A beautiful Whitethroat - Ashdown Forest

13th May, 2012 Nikon D300S 500mm

Cuckoo

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Cuckoo

Cuckoo - photograph taken 13th May, 2012Ashdown Forest- Nikon D300S 500mm

Overview

The cuckoo is a dove-sized bird with blue grey upper parts, head and chest with dark barred white under parts. Sexes are similar and the young are brown. They are summer visitors and well-known brood parasites, the females laying their eggs in the nests of other birds, especially meadow pipits, dunnocks and reed warblers. Their recent population decline makes this a Red List species.

Where to see them

Cuckoos can be seen throughout the UK, but are especially numerous in southern and central England.

When to see them

Adults arrive in late March or April and depart in July or August, with young birds leaving a month or so later.

What they eat

Insects, especially hairy caterpillars.

Kestrel

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A beautiful Kestrel hovering over the sand dunes at West Beach Littlehampton today: Friday 13th April, 2012

Redpoll

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A beautiful Redpoll - photo taken at Warnham Nature Reserve 1st March, 2012

Kingfisher in the Spring Sunshine

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Kingfisher Latin Name: Alcedo atthis



Kingfishers are on the Amber list. Kingfishers are small unmistakable bright blue and orange birds of slow moving or still water. They fly rapidly, low over water, and hunt fish from riverside perches, occasionally hovering above the water's surface. They are a vulnerable to hard winters and habitat degradation through pollution or unsympathetic management of watercourses. Kingfishers are amber listed because of their unfavourable conservation status in Europe.

Where to see them

They are widespread, especially in central and southern England, becoming less common further north but following some declines last century, they are currently increasing in their range in Scotland. Kingfishers are found by still or slow flowing water such as lakes, canals and rivers in lowland areas. In winter, some individuals move to estuaries and the coast. Occasionally they may visit garden ponds if of a suitable size.