Birds I-R

Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoides

Further information:    Very much a gull of the Arctic, breeding only in southern Greenland. In severe winters can be found in and around the British Isles. The Adult shown here on the left was photographed at Priorslee Lake, on the 2nd January 2004, courtesy of Ed Wilson.

Jackdaw
Corvus monedula

Further information:    The Jackdaw is Britain's smallest corvidae with a distinct grey nape. Always seen in pairs or in flocks. In winter will gather in huge flocks with other crows when flying off to roost.

Further information:    A brightly coloured Corvid with blue and white wing patches. Collects and buries acorns in the autumn. Has a scolding screech and also a Buzzard-like miaow. Photograph courtesy Ed Wilson

Further information:    One of the most brilliantly coloured birds to be found in the region. The call is a very loud "chikeee", often heard as it flashes across the water at high speed. Will often feed from a favoured perch, where it will dive for small fish.

Lapwing
Vanellus vanellus

Further information:    A very distinctive wader, its slow wing beat and white underparts are quite noticeable, especially when it forms large flocks in winter. During the breeding season it will give a fantastic display as it tumbles, twists and climbs up again. The flock in the photo on the left were seen on 30th December 2003 over Prioslee Lake.

Little Egret
Egretta garzetta

Further information:   A beautifully plumaged bird, which in recent times has pushed further north in Europe, especially England and Wales. Though the phototograph (shown here) wasn't taken at the lake: on 2nd September 2006 our first bird ever recorded at the lake, was seen by John Isherwood.

Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatus

Further information:   Not a true Tit, but closely related. In the winter forms small flocks, often joining other Tits when foraging for food. In early Spring the flocks split up and pairs then start looking for suitable nesting sites. The nest is a masterpiece and is made up of mostly moss, bound together with cobwebs and hair. The lining inside is made up of feathers and can consist of thousands of them. The photographs are courtesy Ed Wilson

Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos

Further information:    Our commonest duck in the British Isles. Very widespread, it can be found just about anywhere, where there is water.

Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensis

Further information:    A resident pipit, which can often be seen singing in an aerial display when it takes off from the ground, tree or bush. In the springtime can often be seen in small flocks moving north through the British Isles on towards their breeding grounds.

Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorus

Further information:    Our largest resident thrush, with very prominant spots on its breast. Once upon a time it used to be called the "Storm Cock" as it often sings through a storm. In the autumn can often be seen flying about in small flocks.

Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus

Further information:    Never to far away from water, this small freshwater wader has a characteristic jerk of the head and tail, whenever its swimming or walking. Its red base on its bill with a yellow tip, white undertail-coverts and white line along its side, makes this an easily recognisable bird.

Further information:    Britain's largest bird. Distinguishable from other swans by its orange-red bill and black knob on the base of the bill. The knob on the Pen (female) is slightly smaller than that of the cob (male). In breeding season can be very aggressive with lots of hissing and snorting.

Osprey
Pandion haliaetus

Further information:    Has been well established in the Scottish Highlands for many years now and in more recent times at Rutland Water, England. Mainly a passage bird Ospreys have been seen at Priorslee lake, unfortunately not the individual shown here, which I photographed in Spey Bay, Scotland. It can quite easily be confused with a large Gull in flight, but when they are the ones lifting off the water at the sight of an Osprey overhead, confusion is soon dispelled. Predominantly a fish eater it will take trout, coarse fish on migration and this individual was catching flatfish from the shallows. Quite an impressive sight.

Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegus

Further information:    An extremely conspicuous Wader, with a bright orange bill and distinctive black & white plumage. In the winter, adults have a thin white line around the neck and a blackish bill-tip, both just visible in the images to the left. A resident to the British Isles, the Oystercatcher nests inland in the north.

Further information:    The Pied Wagtail is a subspecies of the White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba) which breeds throughout the rest of Europe. The Pied is quite distinct with its black and white plumage and its continuous tail bobbing. In the winter will join together in large communal roosts either on buildings or reed beds.

Further information:    Very similar to Swallow but with pale rusty-coloured rump and shorter tail streamers. Flight resembling that of the House Martin. Has been seen on a number of occassions at Priorslee Lake in the Spring when accompnaying House Martins and Swallows on migration.

Redwing
Turdus iliacus

Further information:    A winter visitor from Scandinavia, the Redwing will occasionally breed in northern Scotland. In the British Isles it can be found almost anywhere in the winter, especially where there are berries, like hawthorn, yew, holly and rowan. In September and October you can often hear them at night, calling to each other in flight, with their high pitched "seeep". The individual shown here top left, shows the distinctive eye-stripe. You can also just about see the red patch on its flank, which in flight would extend under the wing. Hence its name. The centre photo shows a Redwing with a party of Fieldfare.

Further information:    Normally a bird of the open country and marshes, it will often frequent gardens in search of food, especially through the winter months. Will readily eat bread and grain even on a birdtable. Males easily told from duller females by back heads and white "moustache".

Robin
Erithacus rubecula

Further information:    Often associated with gardens, this opportune bird will often be seen close to a gardener, especially if one or two grubs are uncovered with a fork. Has a great love of mealworms and will feed from the hand if you are patient enough. A fairly unobtrusive bird, will occasionally enter houses. When boundaries are crossed it can be very aggressive towards other males often resulting in fatalities. The bottom image was courtesy of "Simmo" Simpson

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