Cygnets on the Avon river in Dorset
Mute Swan at Rickmansworth Aquadrome
Goshawks are powerful predators. They are scarce, due to persecution, in most areas. They are making a come back in the UK where they have been illegally released or simply escaped.
Wild and shy but common almost everywhere.
Grey herons are tall, with long legs, a long beak and grey, black and white feathering. They can stand with their neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunched down with their neck bent over their chest.
Larger than a pochard, the male has an orange-brown head with a red beak and pale flanks. Females are brown with pale cheeks. In flight they show whitish primaries. They dive, dabble and up-end for their food.There is a large population in Spain and nearer but smaller numbers in France, Netherlands and Germany - and occasional wild birds may come to the UK from the Continent. The UK breeding birds almost certainly all come from escaped birds.
Wild and shy but common almost everywhere.
Greylag Goose om Little Britain Lake
One of the most common birds in Europe, The male has a black body, a bright orange bill and a yellow ring around the eye. The female has a dark brown body with a mottled dark spotted underside. Immature males (1st winter) are coloured dull black with a dark bill. Juveniles have a gingery brown body with pale streaks on the back and an orange bill.
Cygnets on the Avon river in Dorset
One of the most common birds in Europe, The male has a black body, a bright orange bill and a yellow ring around the eye. The female has a dark brown body with a mottled dark spotted underside. Immature males (1st winter) are coloured dull black with a dark bill. Juveniles have a gingery brown body with pale streaks on the back and an orange bill.
One of the most common birds in Europe, The male has a black body, a bright orange bill and a yellow ring around the eye. The female has a dark brown body with a mottled dark spotted underside. Immature males (1st winter) are coloured dull black with a dark bill. Juveniles have a gingery brown body with pale streaks on the back and an orange bill.
Wild and shy but common almost everywhere.
A family of Greylag Geese on the Thames near Runnymede
Grey herons are unmistakeable: tall, with long legs, a long beak and grey, black and white feathering. They can stand with their neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunched down with their neck bent over their chest.
This massive bird is one of Europes most powerful predators, which even kills other owls to claim exclusive use of territory. Its huge eyes give it exceptional vision in poor light and hunting is almost entirely nocturnal.
A mute swan swims along the river Thames in Windsor, Berkshire, England
The Harris's Hawk or Harris Hawk also known as the Bay-winged Hawk or Dusky Hawk, is a medium-large bird of prey which breeds from the south western United States south to Chile and central Argentina.
The Robin is a common garden bird usually associated with Christmas
Snow goose (anser caerulescens)
Gull Silhouette in Sidmouth South Devon
The herring gull is often considered a nuisance. It nests on rooftops and can be extremely noisy. Has been in decline in Europe but can be found almost anywhere inland or by water. So wherever you are watch out otherwise you may lose your icecream or sandwiches.
Though called the Common Gull it is not common in all areas of the country. It can be quite localised.
A Collage of Starling images taken in my garden, in West London, during the summer of 2010
A mute swan landing on Ruislip Lido
Juvenile Robin in my garden in west London
A juvenile Robin in my garden in west London
Larger than a pochard, the male has an orange-brown head with a red beak and pale flanks. Females are brown with pale cheeks. In flight they show whitish primaries. They dive, dabble and up-end for their food.There is a large population in Spain and nearer but smaller numbers in France, Netherlands and Germany - and occasional wild birds may come to the UK from the Continent. The UK breeding birds almost certainly all come from escaped birds.
The Robin is a common garden bird usually associated with Christmas
Grey herons are unmistakeable: tall, with long legs, a long beak and grey, black and white feathering. They can stand with their neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunched down with their neck bent over their chest.
This massive bird is one of Europes most powerful predators, which even kills other owls to claim exclusive use of territory. Its huge eyes give it exceptional vision in poor light and hunting is almost entirely nocturnal.
A robin having a bath in my bird bath
The herring gull is often considered a nuisance. It nests on rooftops and can be extremely noisy. Has been in decline in Europe but can be found almost anywhere inland or by water. So wherever you are watch out otherwise you may lose your icecream or sandwiches.
NB: Unsuitable for canvas wrap.
The herring gull is often considered a nuisance. It nests on rooftops and can be extremely noisy. Has been in decline in Europe but can be found almost anywhere inland or by water. So wherever you are watch out otherwise you may lose your icecream or sandwiches.
The Robin is a common garden bird often associated with Christmas
House Sparrow. Although in general sparrows appear to be in decline. The house sparrow appears just as widespread as ever. Protected in the UK by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
House Sparrow. Although in general sparrows appear to be in decline. The house sparrow appears just as widespread as ever. Protected in the UK by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
A bird of prey that is unmistakable with its reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail. It was saved from national extinction by one of the world's longest-running protection programmes. It has now been successfully re-introduced to England and Scotland. And in 2022 chicks were sent to Spain to reintroduce the species. Red kites are listed under Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Little Owl is a small, chunky, flat headed and short tailed. It hunts at dusk but can be often seen perched out during the day. Can be found all over Europe and UK
A bird of prey that is unmistakable with its reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail. It was saved from national extinction by one of the world's longest-running protection programmes. It has now been successfully re-introduced to England and Scotland. And in 2022 chicks were sent to Spain to reintroduce the species. Red kites are listed under Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
A posing Cormorant, The Cormorant is native to England and mainland Europe. It has a very distinctive perching stance with wings spread wide.
The herring gull is often considered a nuisance. It nests on rooftops and can be extremely noisy. Has been in decline in Europe but can be found almost anywhere inland or by water. So wherever you are watch out otherwise you may lose your icecream or sandwiches.
Common small bird usually associated with Christmas
Wild and shy but common almost everywhere.
Wild and shy but common almost everywhere.