Birdwatching In Britain - My Favourite Birds
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British Birds
I have been birdwatching for over 30 years now and a number of species have become favourites of mine. Most of my favourite birds make my list because of something personal to me and not because they are rare, colourful or iconic species; in fact they are iconic, but perhaps only to me.
Here is my list of my ten favourite British Birds and there is a section at the end where you can vote for your favourite.
Birdwatchers who want to learn more about how to improve their birdwatching should read this lens: How to be a Good Birdwatcher.
Collins Bird Guide: The Birds Of Britain And Europe
The best bird field guide for Britain
Collins Bird Guide
Amazon Price: $21.40 (as of 05/29/2012)
If you are at all serious about birdwatching in Britain and Europe then you need a copy of this fantastic book. This is probably one of the best birdwatching field guides ever produced and it is essential for casual birdwatchers and hard-core twitchers alike.
Birding In Britain Poll - Have You Been Birding In Britain?
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1. Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata)
The Dartford Warbler is the bird that got me into birdwatching, aged 7. Whilst on a family holiday in Cornwall my father would take me for walks along the gorse-covered cliffs to look at birds, flowers and other wildlife. One day we came across a Dartford Warbler, which at the time was very rare in England, and I was able to look through my father's binoculars at it. I come from Dartford in Kent, and was thrilled that we had out own bird, and this, combined with its rarity and beauty, quickly made it my favourite bird, which it still is today.My ultimate in birdwatching would be to see a Dartford Warbler in Dartford. With the increasing numbers of this bird in the UK, one day I may get my wish.
Although the Dartford Warbler seems to be one bird that can and will extend its range as a result of climate change, it is still under threat due to habitat loss.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds continues to successfully restore heathland on its existing and new reserves as well as helping other land owners to do so, creating habitat for Dartford Warblers.By supporting this initiative you not only help Dartford Warblers but other species that depend on heathland. Species such as European Nightjar, Natterjack Toad and Sand Lizard.
Poster Prints of Dartford Warbler
2. Corn Bunting (Miliaria calandra)
I grew up in an area where Corn Buntings were, and still are, common. Whenever I went out for a walk with my family, or with the dog, the sound of Corn Buntings came from the surrounding crops; barley, wheat, oilseed rape and peas. Although it is a rather dull bird in appearance, its distinctive call and preference for the same song posts year after year made this feel like "my bird".Whilst at university I did my dissertation on nesting habitat and songpost selection of Corn Buntings and found a distinct preference for barley, for spring-sown crops and for umbellifers (hogweed, cow parsley etc.) for songposts.
The Corn Bunting is in rapid decline across much of Europe and is a bird of conservation concern.
Visit my local Corn Bunting hotspot: The Butts at Hawley, Kent, UK.
Corn Bunting Habitat Diversity
As with most birds habitat diversity is important. This is an extract from the results section of my degree dissertation; "Habitat Selection of Corn Buntings, Miliaria calandra, in the Agricultural Environment of the Lower Trent Valley".
As for many species this diversity is required to provide food at different periods of the year as well as nesting habitat and material, foraging areas and chick food.
"There is a significant positive relationship ( r = 0.237; n = 106; p < 0.05 ) between corn bunting territory density and crop diversity as measured by the Shannon-Wiener index. This indeed reflected what was noted in the field, when it appeared that the junctions of three or more crop types were reliable predictors of corn bunting presence. "
As for many species this diversity is required to provide food at different periods of the year as well as nesting habitat and material, foraging areas and chick food.
Corn Bunting Poster Prints
3. Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
Pied Wagtails are a bird that every one can see and recognise as they strut around the street. I have always been a fan of Pied Wagtails but two events put them high up on my list.Firstly, the supermarket where I worked whilst studying was a major roost site for 100s of Pied Wagtails and it was amusing to see them flocking amongst the shoppers entering the store. Secondly, and more sadly, a Pied Wagtail was the last bird I watched with my father before he passed away in a hospice - we saw it walking around outside his room and as it was my father that got me interested in birdwatching, this seemed like an apropriate thing to be one of my last memories of him. Every time I see a Pied Wagtail now I think of my dad.
Pied Wagtails are common birds in the UK.
Pipits & Wagtails
Roosting Pied Wagtails
Pied Wagtails roost in places where there is warmth to survive the cold nights in. Natural sites would include dense reedbeds but increasingly, in Britain, they use man-made sites for roosting. Factory roofs and supermarkets are very popular, buildings in power stations and sewage treatment plants as well as hospitals; all of which provide warmth round-the-clock.
Pied Wagtails roost in large numbers in order to gain warmth and safety in numbers as well as exchange information about good foraging areas. To our knowledge they don't have a chat about this before sleeping, only that birds who have had trouble finding food will follow those that are in good condition to their feeding areas in the morning, but who knows?
Pied Wagtails roost in large numbers in order to gain warmth and safety in numbers as well as exchange information about good foraging areas. To our knowledge they don't have a chat about this before sleeping, only that birds who have had trouble finding food will follow those that are in good condition to their feeding areas in the morning, but who knows?
Pied Wagtail Photographic Prints
4. Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris)
The mouse-like behaviour of Treecreepers is surely enough to make it one of everyone's favourite birds? Despite the fact that it is a fairly common bird, I am always pleased to see a Treecreeper.When I was younger, my family used to go on regular holidays to the New Forest and my mother would always get quite excited if we saw a Treecreeper, I guess it was one of the few birds that she could identify, and her enthusiasm for this species rubbed off on me. The sight of a Treecreeper always reminds me of family holidays in the New Forest.
The Treecreeper is a fairly common bird of woodland and has a stable population.
5. Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Sanderling are one of the funniest little birds in the United Kingdom, running around at the water's edge on beaches and mudflats. In winter a trip to any beach should result in a sighting of Sanderling running to and fro as the waves come in and then recede. For many beginners, waders can be a tough group of birds to identify, but the very pale appearance and distinctive running action make Sanderling easy to identify.I have seen Sanderling all around the coast of Britain but for me Sanderling and Shellness on the Isle of Sheppey go together for some reason. The only problem is that when I am watching them at that location they often run onto the naturist beach and I am left with a quite unpleasant view and no doubt the resident naturists think I am some sort of peeping tom!
Sanderling is a fairly common winter visitor to Britain.
6. Skylark (Alauda arvensis)
To me, the sound of Skylarks is the sound of summer and the sound of home; skylarks have always been abundant in the hay field that is opposite the house that I grew up in. It is amazing to watch these little birds hover for ages, flapping their wings like crazy whilst perpetually blasting out their song. Quite how they have enough energy for this is incredible.Skylarks are one of those farmland birds which have declined in numbers along with modern farming practices but the introduction of Skylark Plots into arable farming has seen an increase in their numbers where these plots have been used. Skylark Plots were introduced into farming after research on the RSPB's Hope Farm: read more about Skylark Conservation here.
Skylarks, although still relatively common, are in rapid decline in the UK.
7. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Ruddy Turnstones (or simply Turnstones as they are usually called in Europe) do exactly what their name implies; they turn stones. Turnstones do this to search for food and it is quite interesting to watch them go about their business and sometimes it is quite surprising how large the stones that they turn are.I got very attached to turnstones when I was studying for my degree and my wife and I would often go to either Scarborough or Bridlington harbours to eat fish and chips in the winter. Turnstones would gather about us on the harbour walls and wait for us to throw pieces of chips, fish or batter to them and they would often get very close.
Sadly, the turnstones at both these locations suffered greatly from losing toes and I don't remember seeing a single bird that had intact feet, with many birds having almost no toes at all. It made me wonder if this ultimately led to their deaths.
Whilst wintering Turnstones are fairly common, they are still a bird of conservation concern.
8. Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
It would be hard not to put the Avocet in my top ten, with its contrasting black and white plumage and upturned bill it is truely a striking bird. When I first got interested in birdwatching Avocets were very rare indeed in Britain and, for me, to see one was just a dream. In addition, the RSPB using an Avocet as their logo added an even further level of mythicality to this species.When eventually I did see my first Avocet at Minsmere it was not a disappointment and every time I go home to Kent I am pleased to see that Avocets have become ever increasingly common and I always make a trip to Cliffe or Elmley to see some Avocets when I go home to visit my family.
Although Avocets are increasing in number in Britain, their breeding habitat is under serious threat from any rise in sea level.
9. Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)
Whilst the Pochard is a common winter visitor in Britain it breeds only in small numbers and it is because I found a Pochard nest when I was about 12 on my local patch that it became a favourite. Of course, its striking colours helped it into my favours but the sight of the female Pochard with a string of tiny ducklings was more than enough.In September 2006 I was watching some Pochard at RSPB Blacktoft Sands reserve in Lincolnshire and I began to time their dives. It turned out that every dive lasted between 12 and 15 seconds, with most dives lasting for 13 seconds. It was noticeable that the similar Tufted Ducks only dived for about 11 seconds.
Pochard are common winter visitors and scarce breeders in the UK.
10. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Grey Herons are magnificent birds, particularly when they fly; they look enormous. I used to live near some gravel pits where Grey Herons were failry common birds, but the site of two or three of them digesting their food in a field was always a treat.My most enduring memory of Grey Herons was when I came face to face (literally) with one that had been injured and was being cared for by a farmer. I was only a small kid at the time and the sheer size of the heron amazed me.
Even though Grey Herons are common, I am always happy to see them.
Grey Herons are common birds throughout Britain.
Vote For The "Best" Bird - Which bird do you like the most?
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Please Join The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
The UK's most influential conservation society
Whatever your favourite bird please consider joining the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to help conserve all birdlife in the UK. The RSPB has over 1 million members making it one of the most powerful conservation bodies in the world and with further support they can do much more to help wild birds now and in the future.
Just use the banner to go to the RSPB's website and join.
Some More Excellent Birds Of Britain Lenses
Some More Field Guides To British Birds
It can often be useful to have a couple of field guides to work with rather than to rely on just one, regardless of how good it may be. Here is a selection of alternative field guides to the birds of Britain.
Cool British Birds T Shirt
British Birds T ShirtZazzle Price: $27.05
This cool, bird t-shirt is available in a wide variety of sizes, colours and styles for your selection. The design features cartoon versions of nine species of birds found in Britain; Great Tit, Goldfinch, Magpie, House Sparrow, Robin, Chaffinch, Wren, Jackdaw and Nuthatch.
UK Birder T Shirt
UK Birder T ShirtZazzle Price: $25.85
This is another cute t-shirt for birdwatchers from Britain. A variety of styles, sizes and colours can be chosen from to suit the wearer but the design remains the same - a Union Jack flag with Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch and Robin sitting on top of it and a Puffin and Greenfinch in front.
UK Birders' Fun Merchandise
Feeding Birds In The Garden
Feeding birds in your backyard is a great way to get closer to them and watch their often charismatic behaviour. Whether you are an armchair birder or hard core twitcher, you can enjoy watching birds on a feeder and perhaps one of your regular visitors will become your new favourite.
My Other Birdwatching Lenses
I Hope You Enjoyed My Choice Of British Birds
Please leave a comment
Photo by Peter Ericsson.
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laki2lav
Oct 17, 2011 @ 10:58 am | delete
- Nice lens about birds.
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SeanVernall
Jun 3, 2011 @ 5:19 am | delete
- I live in an area with a large population of Red Kites so I pretty much get to see one everyday. They are truly magnificant birds and definately my favourite.
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poddys
May 17, 2011 @ 4:00 pm | delete
- We get a lot of birds in our garden at the feeders, including 2 families of Robins, 2 families of Blackbirds, Collared Doves and Wood Pigeons. We also get lots of Tits or different types, Nuthatches, Dunocks, Magpies, and this week we twice saw a Jay out back.
Where I lived in South Florida we had lots of Blue Herons, and other more exotic birds. It was amazing to see them every day, instead of once in a blue moon.
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ZazzleEnchante Nov 27, 2010 @ 1:12 pm | delete
- Beautiful pictures & wonderful, informative, interesting lens. Blessed by a SquidAngel.
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Sea0tter
Nov 18, 2010 @ 5:14 am | delete
- Lovely lens - great images and information.
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huvalbd
Oct 16, 2010 @ 4:06 pm | delete
- Lovely lens. We don't go birding, but we have a feeder in the back garden and enjoy seeing which birds frequent it. We just moved to the countryside a few months ago. Maybe some of these will show up at our garden, in addition to the sparrows, tits and nuthatches we have now.
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Meloramus
Sep 11, 2010 @ 2:40 am | delete
- Love the design and content. Thanks for creating this lens.
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oztoo
May 31, 2010 @ 8:59 pm | delete
- I grew up in England and as a kid my favorite pastime was bird watching. I never saw some of your favorites but well remember the skylarks and corn bunting. Sorry to hear they are declining in numbers.
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WordCustard
Nov 5, 2009 @ 3:24 am | delete
- I love this lens, such a good example of how a great lens is put together with just the right mix of knowledge, personal accounts, quality images and other relevant content. I'm looking forward to viewing all your other bird lenses.
I love birds but have never seen several of these here in the UK - partly due to my observation skills probably! My best bird moment was up Cairngorm mountain, sitting in the car, with a couple of snow buntings hopping about right in front of it. Then somebody let their kid chase them off.... Ah well!
I also love the Oyster Catcher. We get a lot of them around here.
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nickupton
Oct 27, 2009 @ 10:50 am | delete
- Thank you.[in reply to annmackiemiller]
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About The Lens Author
by nickupton
I started birdwatching when I was just seven years old and over the years a number of British birds have made an impact on me for various reasons. Her... more »
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