European Serin (Serinus serinus)

OTHER NAMES: Serin

Latin Etymology: Serinus ("serin/canary") serinus ("serin/canary")

                                           Adult male European Serin (Serinus serinus) at El Retiro, Madrid, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 8.5-14g  /  Length: 11-12cm  /  Wingspan: 20-23cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The vibrant colours might give it away, but this species is a close relation of the Canary.  It is found widely throughout almost all of Europe, although it is largely absent from Scandinavia and the British Isles, favouring more of a Mediterranean habitat.  In Spain it is fairly common resident found in a variety of habitats up to and including inner-city parks.  I saw a good number across the holiday, but how readily I could get views of them depended very much on where they were - urban birds being less shy than rural.  Prior to seeing them in Spain, I did look for this species in the UK as it is a rare breeding species and vagrant, but failed to locate them each time.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Serinus
Subspecies: None - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian - Verzellino

A resident

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP -  A few at Aci Castello.

SPAIN - Spanish - Verdecillo ("Greenish")

Common to locally abundant resident

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Common at various locations including El Retiro and Patones
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Fairly common throughout, particularly noted at El Pardo

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Circus ("named for circling flight") pygargus ("white rump")

Adult male Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) on farmland near Madrid, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 230-440g  /  Length: 43-47cm  /  Wingspan: 105-120cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

  Named after the naturalist George Montagu, this is the smallest of the three main harrier species found in the UK, but more notable perhaps is its rarity. Montagu's Harrier is arguably the most difficult raptor species to see in the UK; only a handful of pairs nest here each year, and due to it's rarity (and thus desirability for egg collectors) all those sites are kept secret from the public.  This means that unless you are in the know, you would have to catch one of the handful of birds on migration - not an easy task.  I chose an easier option, looking for them in Spain where the climate and habitat is much more suitable for this bird, and so they are much more numerous.  On the tour with Luis Sitges, several were spotted throughout the morning, quartering the fields fairly prominently, though always at a fair distance.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Circus
Subspecies: None - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Aguilucho cenizo ("Ashen Harrier")

Fairly common Summer migrant.

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Several seen on farmland near Madrid
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Several seen from a moving vehicle in both Extremadura and Castille-La-Mancha

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Anser ("goose") serrirostris ("saw billed")

Tundra Bean Goose (subspecies A. s. rossicus) with two Greylag Geese at Warnham LNR, West Sussex  - February 2015

Featured Subspecies: Anser serrirostris rossicus 

Weight: 1.7-4kg  /  Length: 68-90cm  /  Wingspan: 140-174cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Species like the Tundra Bean Goose are examples of where a project like this gets a little complicated.  Classically, there was only considered to be one species of Bean Goose (up to the point of including the Pink-Footed Goose too) but subsequent research has found that even one the Pink-foot is removed, the species is easily divisible by two - the birds that nest in bogs in the subarctic Taiga and birds which nest in the Subarctic Tundra.  There are also physical differences between the two - for instance, the Tundra has a shorter beak.  But some authorities split the two up (such as the American Ornithologists Union) and some keep it as a single species (such as the British Union of Ornithologists) .  While I could easily just go with the BOU list, I don't implicitly assume them to be correct over any other list, so I'm going to count it as a separate species.

As to the bird itself, it is a small grey goose, fairly similar to the Pink-foot and Taiga Bean but with a shorter bill.  It is also smaller generally than the Taiga Bean.  They are found scattered throughout the UK in Winter, often with other grey geese but, unlike the Taiga Bean Goose, do not have any specific regular Wintering sites.  This individual was accompanying a flock of Greylag Geese that were grazing on the Golf Course adjacent to Warnham LNR in Horsham.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anser
Subspecies: A. s. rossicus, A. s. serrirostris

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare and scatter winter visitor - around 320 individuals.

 - A single vagrant bird seen with a flock of Greylag Goose at Warnham LNR in February 2015 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Sternula ("diminutive of Sterna - black tern) albifrons ("white forehead")

Adult Little Tern (subspecies S. a. albifrons) at Rye Harbour, Kent - May 2012

Featured Subspecies: Sterna albifrons albifrons
Weight: 50g  /  Length: 20-28cm  /  Wingspan: 45-55cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Little Tern is the smallest and one of the rarest species of Tern in the UK - it requires undisturbed shingle on while to nest which is difficult to find in this modern age - with dog walkers and the like disturbing them preventing them from nesting, and as a species which is a notoriously poor breeder this is a bit of a problem.  They are much smaller than other terns found in the UK, and the telltale sign is their yellow beak with a black tip which gives them away.   A charming little bird, the best places to see them are protected sites where fences keep them safe from predators and humans.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Sternidae
Genus: Sternula
Subspecies: S. a. albifrons, S. a. guineae, S. a. sinensis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare and very local breeding Summer migrant (1,900 pairs)

 - Birds seen at publicized colony at Rye Harbour in May 2015

ITALY - Italian - Fraticello

A rare breeder

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - Seen from Syracuse 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red-List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Bewick's Swan (Cygnus columbianus)

OTHER NAMES: Tundra Swan

Latin Etymology: Cygnus ("swan") columbianus ("of Colombia")

Three Adult Bewick's Swan (subspecies C. c. bewickii) at Nene Washes, Cambridgreshire - February 2024

Featured Subspecies: Cygnus columbianus bewickii
Weight: 3.4-9.6g  /  Length: 115-150cm  /  Wingspan: 170-210cm,
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The smallest of the three swans that are found in the UK, the Bewick's Swan is still a rather substantial bird.  Unlike the resident Mute Swan familiar to everyone, the other two species are purely Winter visitors, and are generally found at only a few sites where they congregate in very big numbers.  However, because they are migrants they can in theory turn up on any body of water big enough to support them.  Both migrant swans have yellow and black beaks rather than orange/black - the Bewick's can be differentiated by the yellow forming a round shape rather than a wedge as in the Whooper swan, and of course, the smaller size.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cygnus
Subspecies: C. c. columbianus, C.c. bewickii

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly scarce and local Winter migrant (approx. 2600 birds)

 - Flock of four Wintering birds seen on Rutland Water in 2011, numerous birds at Nene Washes in February 2024

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, BirdGuides, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Short-Eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Asio (specific designate of Long-eared Owl) flammeus ("fiery" or "flammulated"")

Adult Short-Eared Owl (subspecies A. f. flammeus) at Nene Washes, Cambridgeshire - February 2024

Featured Subspecies: Asio flammeus flammeus
Weight: 210-475g  /  Length: 32-43cm  /  Wingspan: 85-110cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Short-Eared Owl is perhaps one of the most visually striking UK owls, with its large yellow eyes.  Found on moorland for much of the year, it migrates south to more hospitible climes during the Winter where it may form roosts of multiple individuals, sometimes mixed with Long Earred Owls.  Unlike most owls, it is primarily a daylight flying bird, thus making it theoretically easier to see than all other species, it is however conversely more localised than Barn, Tawny or Little, so you actually need a reliable site to find them. 

Related Species:
Order:  Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Asio
Subspecies: A. f. flammeus, A. f. sandwichensis, A. f. domingensis, A. f. bogatensis, A. f. suinda, A. f. sanfordi, A. f. ponapensis, A. f. galapogoensis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare breeding species (600-2200 pairs) and scarce to locally abundant eruptive Winter visitor (5000-50000 birds)

 - Sites in good years have included Rutland Water, Harrington Airfield, Sheppey and Elmley Marshes

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Hydrocoloeus ("water" + unknown web footed bird) minutus ("little")

Two Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) - Top Right: Adult Winter, Bottom Left: First Winter, at Gravesend, Kent - October 2011

Also shown: Adult Winter plumage Black Headed Gull (Bottom Right)

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 68-160g  /  Length: 24-28cm  /  Wingspan: 61-78cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

This species is perhaps most notable for being the smallest gull in the world, and so of course, bt default, also in the UK. It is a fairly rare species that probably requires luck to find - although birds do Winter they are mainly seen on passage. They often associate with Black Headed Gulls, and they can be picked out by their size (which is not necessarily obvious in flight), short black beak and flittering flight where they will continuously swoop down and dabble their feet in the water. Keep an eye on flocks of Black Headed Gulls during migration times for a best bet.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Laridae
Genus: Hydrocoloeus
Subspecies: none - monotypic


 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare Wintering species (400-800 birds) and rare passage migrant in Spring (200-700 birds)

 - Two birds seen along the Thames just outside Gravesend in 2011, a single bird in Summer plumage seen distantly at Rutland Water later

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Saxicola ("stone dweller") macularius (species specific name)

Adult female Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) at Rainham Marshes RSPB, London - July 2011

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 16-24g  /  Length: 12-14cm  /  Wingspan: 22cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Whinchats are one of the least common of the chat species found in the UK, found in much lower densities than species such as wheatear or stoenchat. Like wheatears, they are a summer migrant, returning to Winter in Africa. Normally found on the north and west, this individual turned up at Rainham marshes. They are identified by the prominant white eyestripe, the rusty coloured chest and brown back.  I encountered my second individual in Italy, where it was presumably on passage along Capo Murro di Porco.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Saxicola
Subspecies: none - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly numerous but very local breeding Summer migrant (approx. 47,000 pairs)

 - A passage female seen at Rainham Marshes RSPB in July 2011.

ITALY - Italian - stiaccino

A passage migrant
 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - Passage migrant at Capo Murro di Porco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Manx Shearwater (Puffinis puffinus)

OTHER NAMES: Baakie Craa

Latin Etymology: Puffinis ("cured carcass of a shearwater") puffinus ("cured carcass of a shearwater")

Adult Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - April 2015

Four Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - June 2011

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 350-575g  /  Length: 30-38cm  /  Wingspan: 76-89cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Excepting the diurnal and open nesting Fulmar, the Manx shearwater is possibly the easiest of the petrels to see in the UK. This however, does not mean it is specifically easy either - the best way to see any member of the family is to go on a pelagic boat trip early in the morning, where with any luck, you should get close views. Unfortunately for me, my trips to Cornwall have been before the pelagic trips started up for the year making it impossible. However, if you pick the right headland at an appropriate time of the year you may see flocks of these birds distantly out at sea - notice the distinctive wing shape. Manx Shearwaters are nocturnal during the breeding season and nest in burrows on offshore islands. One other interesting fact is that for birds, shearwaters are incredibly long lived for birds - a wild Manx Shearwater in Ireland is believed to be 55 years old!

Related Species:
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Procellariidae
Genus: Puffinus
Subspecies: none - monotypic. Seven former subspecies are now considered separate species each.

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An abundant but very local breeding species on certain islands (280,000-320,000 pairs) and abundant passage migrant

 - Seen most years after 2011 from Trevose Head  in very variable numbers, depending on time of year visited and weather conditions

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Garganey (Anas querquedula)

OTHER NAMES: Cricket Teal

Latin Etymology: Anas ("duck") querquedula (duck mentioned by Varro and Columella)

Adult male Garganey (Anas queruedula) at Summer Leys Reserve, Northants - March 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 300-400g  /  Length: 37-41cm  /  Wingspan: 59-67cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

After the Gadwall, possibly one of the most drably coloured duck species found in the UK. The male is primarily notable for the prominent white stripe over its eye, while the female is a rather forgettable brown. Perhaps the rarest and most secretive of UK Ducks - only around a hundred pairs breed in the UK a year, and those that do are quite secretive. They are also barely bigger than a teal, so finding them is potentially the hardest of all British freshwater Ducks.  They do seem to turn up fairly regularly on passage, so being quick on the uptake of reports in the Spring and Autumn may be the best bet for seeing them.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anas
Subspecies: none - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A rare Summer migrant and breeding species (14-90 pairs)

 - Seen at Summerleys in May 2011 and March 2022

SPAIN - Spanish - Cerceta carretona ("Marbled Teal")

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: A single bird seen fleetingly at Laguna Navaseca

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

OTHER NAMES: Redstart

Latin Etymology: Phoenicurus ("crimson tailed") phoenicurus ("crimson tailed")

Adult male Common Redstart (subspecies P. p. phoenicurus) at  Cold Ashby, Northants - April 2022

Featured Subspecies: Phoenicurus phoenicurus phoenicurus

Weight: 11-23g  /  Length: 13-14.5cm  /  Wingspan: 23-26cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Generally known just as the "Redstart" in the UK (the Black Redstart being only a modern coloniser after all) this is a species with a generally westerly bias to it's range in the UK, associating more with birch and oak woodland that most British woodland birds.  However, there are exceptions and there are also sites in the South East in which it can be found such as Thursley common.  It has a lot of overlap with the Robin in it's diet and behaviour, but unlike that species is a Summer migrant, and thus can also be found on passage, sometimes in small numbers together - such as the three females I saw together in the grounds of Alexandra Palace in September 2015.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Phoenicurus
Subspecies: P. p. phoenicurus, P. p. samamisicus

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A local but fairly numerous Summer breeding migrant (100,000 pairs)

 - Birds seen on breeding territories at Derwent Water and Thursley Commom, and the park surrounding Alexandra Palace on passage

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

OTHER NAMES: Barred-rumped Godwit, Pacific Ocean Godwit, Southern, Small Godwit

Latin Etymology: Limosa (species specific name) lapponica ("of Lapland")

Adult Winter Bar-tailed Godwit (subspecies L. l. lapponica) at Thornham Harbour, Norfolk - November 2021

Featured Subspecies: Limosa lapponica lapponica
Weight: 190-630g  /  Length: 37-41cm  /  Wingspan: 70-80cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

Despite being, in theory at least, the more numerous of the two British Godwit species, I've personally found finding "Barwits" much harder than their counterpart. The reasons for this are relatively simple in some cases - unlike the Black-tailed, the Bar-tailed is essentially exclusively found on the coast and occasionally up the shores of the larger rivers. Telling the differences between Godwits isn't necessarily easy at first but can be acquired with some practice.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Limosa
Subspecies: L. l. lapponica, L. l. taymyrensis, L. l. menzbieri, L. l. baueri

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Locally common Winter Vistor (41,000 birds)

 - Birds seen at Reculver,

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .