20-MAY-2006
Pied flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleuca
The pied flycatcher is a small, flycatching bird, slightly smaller than a house sparrow. The male is mostly black on the upperparts and white underneath, with a bold white patch on the folded wing. Females are browner. It is a summer visitor and breeds mainly in western areas, spending the winter in West Africa.
20-MAY-2006
Pied wagtail
Motacilla alba
AKA: White wagtail
A delightful small, long-tailed and rather sprightly black and white bird. When not standing and frantically wagging its tail up and down it can be seen dashing about over lawns or car parks in search of food. It frequently calls when in its undulating flight and often gathers at dusk to form large roosts in city centres.
09-JUL-2005
Puffin
Fratercula arctica
AKA: Atlantic puffin
An unmistakable bird with its black back and white underparts, and distinctive black head with large pale cheeks and a tall, flattened, brightly-coloured bill. Its comical appearance is heightened by its red and black eye-markings and bright orange legs. Used as a symbol for books and other items, this clown among seabirds is one of the world's favourite birds. With half of the UK population at only a few sites it is an Amber List species. (Info from www.rspb.org.uk)
09-JUL-2005
Razorbill
Alca torda
The razorbill is a medium-sized seabird. It is black above and white below. It has a thick black beak which is deep and blunt, unlike the thinner bill of the similar guillemot. It breeds around the coast of the UK, with the largest colonies in northern Scotland. There are none breeding between the Humber and the Isle of Wight. Birds only come to shore to breed, and winter in the northern Atlantic. The future of this species is linked to the health of the marine environment. Fishing nets, pollution and declining fish stocks all threaten the razorbill.
(info from www.rspb.org.uk)
28-JAN-2006
Redpoll
Carduelis cabaret
The lesser redpoll is a small brown streaked finch with a distinctive red forehead, small black bib and, in breeding males, red upper chests. This contrasts with largely pale under parts (streaked on the flanks). Its UK breeding population has declined and although it is recovering, it is on the Amber List. They are often found in flocks, occasionally with siskins. It has recently been split from the common or mealy redpoll, a larger and paler species.
20-MAY-2006
Redstart (male)
Phoenicurus phoenicurus
AKA: Common redstart
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.
20-MAY-2006
Redstart (Female)
Phoenicurus phoenicurus
AKA: Common redstart
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.
10-JAN-2009
Redwing (Turdus iliacus)
The redwing is most commonly encountered as a winter bird and is the UK's smallest true thrush. Its creamy strip above the eye and orange-red flank patches mak it distinctive. They roam across the UK's countryside, feeding in fields and hedgerows, rarely visiting gardens, except in the coldest weather when snow covers the fields. Only a few pairs nest in the UK.
In open countryside it likes hedges and orchards as well as open, grassy fields. Will come to parks and gardens. Often joins with flocks of fieldfares.
Migrants arrive from September, with most in October and November. They leave again in March and April, although occasionally birds stay later.
What they eat
Berries and worms
(Info from rspb.org)
22-MAY-2006
Reed bunting
Emberiza schoeniclus
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. This farmland and wetland bird suffered a serious population decline making it a Red List species.
03-JUN-2006
Reed warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceus
The reed warbler is a plain unstreaked warbler. It is warm brown above and buff coloured underneath. It is a summer visitor to breed in the UK, with the largest concentrations in East Anglia and along the south coast – there are relatively few breeding in Scotland and Ireland. It winters in Africa.
05-FEB-2006
Robin
Erithacus rubecula
AKA: European robin
The UK's favourite bird - with its bright red breast it is familar throughout the year and especially at Christmas! Males and females look identical, and young birds have no red breast and are spotted with golden brown. Robins sing nearly all year round and despite their cute appearance, they are aggressively territorial and are quick to drive away intruders. They will sing at night next to street lights. (Info from www.rspb.org.uk)
11-JUN-2005
Robin (juveneille)
Erithacus rubecula
AKA: European robin
The UK's favourite bird - with its bright red breast it is familar throughout the year and especially at Christmas! Males and females look identical, and young birds have no red breast and are spotted with golden brown. Robins sing nearly all year round and despite their cute appearance, they are aggressively territorial and are quick to drive away intruders. They will sing at night next to street lights.
(Info from www.rspb.org.uk)