Winter Bird Watch
With the duller days of late January upon us catching a glimpse of some fleeting patterned wings or the flash of a brightly coloured crown at the bird feeder can be a real feel good boost, and winter is the perfect time to try and spot them in your garden, or whilst out on a walk in your local park or woodland. As well as our resident wild birds many species migrate to spend the winter in Britain. According to the RSPB around 40% of the worlds species are migratory.
Below we have put together a list of 6 different bird species you might be lucky enough to spot this winter along with a handy illustration of the different shapes and colouring to help with identification. Winter can be tough for wildlife as food becomes more sparse and wild birds will often travel further to find food at this time of year. So if you would like to attract more of them into your garden now is a great time to help them out by keeping your bird feeders topped up with a variety of foods to attract a range of different species, such as sunflower hearts, peanuts, nyjer seeds, mealworms and fat balls to give them the energy boost needed to get through the months ahead.
The Woodland Trust have a really helpful guide on Feeding Wild Birds: What, How, When and Why.
6 Birds to look out for this winter...
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Blue tit
Blue tits are a vibrant mix of blue, yellow, white & green and are one of our most common garden visitors. During winter blue tits flock together to feed. Blue tits are widespread and can be found in gardens, parks, woodland and hedgerows. UK Conservation status: Green |
Bullfinch
The male Bullfinch can be clearly identified by his bright pinky orange breast, white rump, black cap & tail. Although with very similar markings the female Bullfinch is a paler more fawny colour with only a hint of pink. Bullfinches are a shy bird and its unlikely you will see them visiting the busier garden. Preferring quiet and protection they can be spotted along woodland edges, orchards and hedgerows. UK Conservation stauts: Amber |
Nuthatch
The Nuthatch gets its name from Middle English 'Nuthak', meaning Nuthacker, so it's no surprise that the Nuthatch is a master at cracking nuts open, firstly by stuffing them into the crevices of tree trunks before hacking out the shell with its pointed bill. The Nuthatch is a striking bird with a pinky orange breast, grey-blue plumage and black mask like stripe wrapped around it's head. The Nuthatch is a resident bird breeding throughout England and Wales and seldom travels far. They will likely be found in mature deciduous woodlands and parklands on the side of tree trunks and underside of branches. UK Conservation species: Green |
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Goldfinch
The Goldfinch is famous for it's bright red and yellow plumage. They are sociable birds and can often be heard noisily in flocks known as a 'charm' They can often be seen in places abundant with thistle and teasel and other seeding plants. There has been a large increase in Goldfinches visiting garden bird tables over the past few years, mainly due to the increase of extra food available. Goldfinches have been known by other names over the years such as goldie, gold linnet, thistle finch & redcap UK Conservation status: Green |
Chaffinch
The Chaffinch is an all year round resident bird and one of the most widespread species in the UK. Being ground feeding birds It's patterned plumage provides good camouflage when foraging. Although common in the garden Chaffinches prefer to clear up seed under the bird table and forage about under hedges. You will likely hear Chaffinche's before you see them owning to their loud and chattering calls. Chaffinche's can be seen in woodlands, hedgerows, fields, parks and gardens. UK Conservation status: Green |
Robin
The Robin is the nations most familiar feathered friend, with it's brown and white plumage and famous red breast. Robins are resident birds and rarely travel far, defending their own patch. As sweet as they may look Robins are very territorial birds and are not afraid to fight off another Robin hopping about on his patch. Males and females look identical, and the younger birds have no red breast and are spotted in golden brown. They can be found in woodland, hedgerows, parks and gardens. Robins have also been known to sing at night next to street lights!. UK Conservation status: Green |
Things to look out for when identifying different bird species:
The Big Garden Bird Watch is back!
"Enjoy an hour with nature and discover the wildlife on your doorstep"
The RSPB's annual Big Garden Bird Watch also takes place this month and between January 29th-31st you can take part too.
Click the link below to find out more and sign up for a free guide to help you identify what you see.
RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch