Birds S - Z

Further information:    Summer visitor to the British Isles. Has been seen on Priorslee Lake in past years, but is mainly a tern of the coast. Will plunge into the sea from a great height where it feeds upon fish. Distinct black crest and black slender bill, tipped with yellow, distinguishes this tern from all other British terns.

Length:    4¾" (12cm)
Location: Europe and North Africa
Habitat: Usually among conifers, especially spruce Also mixed woodland.

Further information: One of my favourite birds, the Siskin is a one Britain's most frequent winter visitor. The two females top and middle were photographed feeding on an Aspen.
Note the black chin and cap on the male in the bottom photograph. They are also partial to peanuts and will readily visit any garden that has a red peanut bag hanging up. Some winters can see many birds turn up in the UK, during the winter (2002/3) there were up to three flocks of 30+ birds in and around Priorslee Lake. Unlike most finches these small yellows birds are quite tame at close-quarters and will frequent their favourite tree time and time again.

Further information:   Very common in woodlands and parks will occasionally come into gardens. Tell-tale signs that a Song Thrush has been feeding is the broken snail shells around a small rock or stone. During late winter early spring, will sing all through the night. Photograph courtesy of Ed Wilson.

Further information:    First indication that a Sparrowhawk is in the neighborhood is the immediate alarm call of passerines and then a silence. A few seconds later and a Sparrowhawk appears over the treetops and hedges in pursuit of an unsuspecting bird. Normally feeds on small birds though the top image shown here, photographed by Gary Garbett, took a Woodpigeon. On the Continent will sometimes attack Canary Cages suspended outside on the Patio. In fact twice now in the past year I have witnessed a female attack my aviary and on one occasion kill a Canary through the wire.

Further information:    A very gregarious bird often seen squabbling around the bird table. In winter will gather in huge numbers swirling like a huge black cloud before roosting in reed beds or city centres. Largest roost at Priorslee Lake seen in recent times was c.750 in November 2005. In the spring has a bright yellow bill and is often mistaken for a blackbird. However its iridescent coat of green and purple should distinguish it from other birds.

Further information:    A regular summer visitor, a pair will often or not return year after year to the same nest site. A pleasant sounding bird, it can be heard on a summers day twittering from a perch or in flight, but can suddenly change to a high pitched 'wit', 'wit-wit' when danger threatens. Before migration, swallows will gather in large numbers, often on telegraph wires. Photograph courtesy L. Wymer

Further information:   One of wildlife's amazing birds, the Swift having fledged will remain on the wing for up to 3 years, before it reaches maturity. Then it will mate and for the first time in its life, land and nest on ledges under the eaves of tall buildings or churches. When it's not breeding, will sleep, drink and eat flying insects on the wing. In wet weather will fly up to 100 miles in search of food. It is one of our later summer visitors and one of the first to leave. At the height of summer it can be found screeching over the roof tops during hot balmy evenings, before rising higher and higher to spend the night on the wing.

Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligula

Further information:    The UK's most commonest diving duck. A very striking bird, it is a favourite of many people as it competes for bread thrown for Mute Swans, Coots and Mallard.

Further information:    A very secretive bird which is more often heard than seen. Best chance of seeing this shy bird is when it ventures out into the open during extremely cold conditions. Can be seen at two locations at Priorslee lake. One is along Wesley Brook in the Northwest corner of the lake and the other is in a small stream in the woods to the northeast of the lake. Once heard never forgotten as it sounds like a pig squealing. Very territorial and in the spring fights are not uncommon as males set up breeding areas in amongst the reedbeds. Photograph courtesy of Paul King.

Further information:    Regular summer visitor to the British Isles. Can be seen just about anywhere on migration, as birds move north towards their breeding grounds. Look out for the larger and more brightly coloured Greenland race (leucorrhao) which passes through Western Europe in the spring. Males recognisable by their ash-grey back and crown as seen by this photograph on the left, captured by Ed Wilson on 11 Apr 06.

Further information:    Regular summer visitor to the British Isles. Unmistakable with its white throat. Has a scratchy song which it often delivers from a vertical flight. Photograph courtesy of Ed Wilson on 30 Jul 06.

Further information:    A typical grazing duck, often found feeding on grassy banks or on estuarine eel-grass. Male told from female by distinct chestnut head, pale crown and light grey back. Male has a typical loud whistle, 'wheee-oo'.

Willow Tit
Parus montanus

Further information:  In winter can often be seen foraging with other Tits. Often confused with Marsh Tit which has a glossy cap.

Further information:    A summer visitor often mistaken for the Chiffchaff. Can be separated by its song, which often heralds the arrival of summer.  Chiffchaff legs always dark, however Willow Warbler legs range from dark brown to fleshy colour.

Further information:    Resident and most abundant of all Europe's pigeons. Can often be seen visiting gardens where it is not opposed to landing on bird tables and eating wild bird seed. In the country will cause immense damage to crops, where it is especially fond of cereals, beans, potatoes and greens. In the winter will consume large amounts of animal feed.

Further information:   A resident and very active bird, with a song that is exceptionally loud for a bird so small. In the spring the male will build several nests and when the female or females (the male is polygamous) are satisfied with one, they will line the nest with feathers. In harsh winters they will readily use old nesting sites or purpose built roosts, where incredibly up to 60 birds will gather for warmth.

Further information:    One of many British birds in rapid decline. Will sing from the top of hedgerows or bushes, with its distinct and well versed song. "A-little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese".

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