Passionate about wildlife
The white flanks, golden eyes and tufted crest are the tell tale identification features of the male tufted duck. The head has a slight purple sheen. There are 16,000 pairs breeding in the UK. The population swells to 120,000 birds with migrants joining the residents during winter.
The female has the same golden eyes and tufted crest as the male. The flanks are brown rather than white.
The coal tit is smaller than the great tit (11.5 cm). Its distinctive feature is the white stripe on the back of its head. There are 760,000 pairs in the UK, less than the great tit and blue tit, but more than the long tailed tit. It exhibits the same agility as members of the sub species.
The Dorset bird watching social media feeds have expressed great excitement. The American Black Tern has been sighted locally only 16 or 17 times before, but has been seen flying over Longham lakes in the last couple of days. This morning (8th Oct) I was joined by a flock of 20 or 30 bird watchers at the lakes, keen to get a glimpse. We were not disappointed. As if on cue, the bird appeared over the water dipping to the surface every now and then.
North American readers will probably wonder what all the fuss is about.
The smallest of the UK gulls. There are 140,000 in the country.
The black head disappears during autumn and winter months.
A small, sleek member of the crow family with piercing, blue eyes. My own sightings of these birds seem to be restricted to the cafe areas of pubic parks. They get their name from the call they make: “tchack, tchack”.
There are 1.4 million pairs in the UK.
The blackcap is a member of the warbler family. There are 1.2 million pairs in the UK. They are easier to hear than see, as they mostly stay covered by foliage.
It is the male that gives the species its name. The female has a reddish brown crown.
I love this place. It has been a source of inspiration for me for many years. As a teenager I would play here. After 25 years living and working in the centre of London, it drew me back. For the last 15 years it has been within walking distance of home. Now in retirement I enjoy walking here regularly with my family.
What can be said about the Robin? Quite a lot as it happens. I have a 200 page book on my bookshelf by Stephen Moss dedicated to the Robin. I will restrict myself to some lines I was inspired to write as I observed this bold, inquisitive little bird that is deeply embedded in British culture:
"Please, mister, please,
Take my picture, if you will;
I will sit here on this post,
And keep ever so still."
The juvenile lacks the bold colour of the parent, but has the unmistakable stance and those large, black eyes.
A small heron (55-65 cm), almost half the size of a grey heron. Increasing population in the UK of 4,500 individuals. Sleek, elegant and graceful in flight.
240,00 pairs of Wheatear visit the UK during the summer months. It breeds in upland pastures and moorland in western and northern Britain. This one was seen in August in Cornwall.
It sits very upright. It winters in central Africa.
Stephen's Wildlife 