Garden birdwatching

 

One of the suet feeders, which struggled to maintain its form on hot days. (Photo from personal collection)

Ten birds spotted in the garden . . .

1. Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

Now and then, a male and a female pheasant visit the garden to peck at seed left on the ground.

The male is striking with his glossy green head and the bare red skin about the eye. The female is a bit duller, with her more uniformly brown feathers and shorter tail.

This gamebird is common throughout Britain's countryside, but it is an ancient introduction from Asia.

2. Common buzzard (Buteo buteo)

Not really spotted in the garden, but circling high above it, with its call like a kitten's meow.

I have seen a few of these birds flying throughout the village, and have been lucky enough to get closer views when out walking, when I have walked beneath one sitting hunched in a tree.

Like other raptors, this bird suffered in the past because of persecution and pesticide, but is recovering.

3. Red kite (Milvus milvus)

Another raptor spotted flying above the garden, this bird was recently very rare, but has been recovering because of careful conservation.

I have heard some speak in fear of this bird, that it might take off with dogs or cats. But, on average, this bird weighs less than an adult chihuahua; it would have to be a desperate Kite for it to attempt an attack on an animal that outweighs it!

A graceful raptor that deserves our respect and awe. 

4. Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

Now, this bird of prey has visited the garden, and not just flown over.

The male is about the size of a jackdaw, the female larger. The male is grey, with four or five bars on his tail, white underneath with peachy-orange barring. The female is similar but  as mentioned, larger, and the bars across her chest are darker. 

Pesticide poisoning in the past led to huge drops in the Sparrowhawk population, but it has recovered well.

5. Collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

First bred in Britain in 1955 in Norfolk, now found throughout Britain and Ireland.

This bird is fairly skittish, but comes in to feed on the ground, sometimes in pairs. It sits atop chimneys, fences, and aerials, calling a who-hooo-ho.

6. Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)

The largest and most common pigeon. 

A plump bird. It flies across the sky with a few slapping flaps of its wings before it rises and soars in a glide. Like the Collared dove, it comes in to feed from the ground and whatever might have fallen from feeders.

If you have a problem with large pigeons trying to take food from feeders, simply leave a dish of seed on the ground. The smaller birds get access to the feeders and the pigeons will prefer feeding on the ground anyway – win-win!

7. Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)

One of our smaller birds, I spotted this one flitting in and out of the budleia.

A little, rich brown bird, with its little tail cocked upwards. It prefers dense cover, loving scrubby vegetation. 

A beautiful little bird with a surprisingly loud voice for its size, I was more than pleased to see it in the garden – if I had had a camera I would now be sharing pictures of it perched upon my watering can!

8. Dunnock (Prunella modularis)

Could be confused with a house sparrow at a glance as it shuffles around under garden feeders.

It's plumage is quite like that of a sparrow, but with a blue-grey throat and breast. It often can be seen moving beneath feeders picking up what has fallen from above.

Common but sadly in decline. 

9. Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

The bird made famous by its association with Christmas time, and often considered the nation's favourite bird.

A common resident bird. 

Perhaps thought of, with its red-breast and melodic song, as a pretty little garden bird, these birds are very territorial, and disputes between Robin's can be violent.

10. Blackbird (Turdus merula)

We finish with another bird familiar to British gardens, with its lovely song. 

The males are black, a small ring of yellow around the eye, and an orange-yellow bill. Females are a dark brown, with a lighter throat, and slight streaking on the chest. 

The song of the blackbird is always a welcome melody.

Thank you for reading. My RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds is always in my pocket when I am out in the garden or rambling footpaths, and I very much recommend it. 

This blog is not affiliated with the RSPB in any official manner, but I do believe in the work they do.

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Thank you again!