Merlin (Falco columbarius)

OTHER NAMES: Pigeon Hawk

Latin Etymology: Falco ("falcon") columbarius ("pertaining to doves")

Adult Female Merlin (subspecies F. c. aesolon) at Flamborough, Yorkshire - November 2023

Featured Subspecies: Falco columbarius aesolon
Weight: 165-230g  /  Length: 24-33cm  /  Wingspan: 50-73cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List - Least Concern

Out of all the species represented on this blog thus far, none have had more hours put into finding them with so little success.  A dashing little bird and the smallest raptor in the UK, despite repeated visits to sites which are good for them and had reported them regularly, I ended up with at best fleeting glimpses of "probables" flying past me at high speed, or far more usually, no sign at all of them.  Most frustratingly, of all British species this had been one I had wanted to see since a young age.  When I finally managed to take this photograph I hadn't even been looking for one, I was on a casual walk and I'd just happened to turn round and inspect a distant bird that had alighted on a post further back on the path I had just walked down only to realise this chance glance was the bird that had vexed me on potentially dozens of occasions.  For the good of anyone else who wishes to see this lovely if frustrating bird, I'm going to refrain from advice in case I jinx you.

Related Species:
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
Subspecies: F. c. columbarius, F. c. suckleyi, F. c. richardsonii, F. c. subawesalon, F. c. aesalon, F. c. insignis, F. c. pacificus, F. c. pallidus, F. c. lymani

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Scarce and local breeding species (900-1500 pairs) - migrates internally in the UK in Winter

 - Indiviiduals at Onager Hill, Frampton Marshes  and Flamborough Head in 2023, , 1 female at Harlyn Bay in April 2014.

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

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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 .

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

OTHER NAMES: Black-bellied plover, Gray plover, Silver plover, Grey sandpiper

Latin Etymology: Pluvialis ("relating to rain") squatarola (Venetian name for a kind of plover)

Three adult Winter Grey Plover (subspecies P. s. squatarola) at Reculver, Kent - February 2014

Featured Subspecies: Pluvialis squatarola squatarola* (see subspecies notes below)

Weight: 190-280g  /  Length: 27-30cm  /  Wingspan: 71-83cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Another estuary specialist, in this case a Winter migrant. Unfortunately this means that ordinarily the UK never gets to see this bird in it's striking black, white and silver summer plumage although I had the great luck to find a single individual in un-seasonal plumage in January amidst dozens of its winter plumaged brethren. As a target for photography, it probably depends very much on position of your vantage point to where they are - they would probably fly off if approached in the open, but hides overlooking roost sites or tidal flats hold the potential for good views.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Genus: Pluvialis
Subspecies: either - monotypic OR P. s. squatarola, P. s. cynosuae, P. s. tomkovichi

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Locally common Wintering species (43,000 individual) and locally common Spring Passage Migrant (70,000 individuals)

 - Common in Winter at Oare Marshes, Elmley Marshes and Gravesend. 

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in Alaska, Wintering range along most of the Coast of the Lower 48.
- CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley

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

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

OTHER NAMES: Marsh Harrier

Latin Etymology: Circus ("circling") aeruginosus ("rusty")

 Adult male Western Marsh Harrier (subspecies C. a. aeruginosus) at Blakenham, Norfolk - May 2022

Featured Subspecies Circus aeruginosus aeruginosus
Weight: 400-650g  /  Length: 43-54cm  /  Wingspan: 115-130cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite being by far the most common of the UKs three regular harriers, the Marsh Harrier still isn't a particularly common bird in most places. AS the name suggests, it favours marshland, although it can occasionally be sighted over less specialised wetland. I cannot recommend Elmley Marshes RSPB enough for seeing this species, on my visits I can often see 15+ of these birds in an afternoon. This however does not mean that the views you get of them are as good it must be noted, and unfortunately, despite the number of sightings, they don't necessarily tend to be that close range unless its in fairly low light anyway.  I also encountered this species in Spain, where it appears much more content to hunt over arable fields than it is in the UK.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Circus
Subspecies: C. a. aeruginosus, C. a. harterti

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Scarce but locally common breeding resident. (400 pairs)

 -  Stronghold around the Swale,notably Elmley Marshes and Oare Marshes, Also seen at Rainham Marshes, Nene Washes, Blakenham, Thornham Harbour and other wetland and saltmarsh sites. 

ITALY - Italian - Falco di Palude ("Swamp Falcon")

A localised resident, non-breeder and passage migrant.
 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - Two seen at Fiume Ciane 

SPAIN - Spanish - Aguilucho lagunero ("Lagoon Fight-eagle")

Scarce and Local Resident

 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Several seen in the vicinity of Madrid 

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Seen frequently throughout most notably at Laguna Del Longar

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

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Red Knot (Calidris canutus)

OTHER NAMES: Knot

Latin Etymology: Calidris (grey waterbird mentioned by Aristotle) canuta (named for legendary King Canute)

Moulting Red Knot (subspecies C. c. islandica) at Frampton Marshes, Lincolnshire - August 2023

Featured Subspecies: Calidris canutus islandica
Weight: 100-200g  /  Length: 80-100cm  /  Wingspan: 121-160cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

 The name "knot" is derived from the legendary king Canute and his own inability to hold back the tide - pretty fitting for a shorebirds whose life is structured around their movements.  The knot is an exclusively coastal based wader (although, as with most birds, there are going to be occasional exceptions for vagrants) best known for the huge flocks it forms when roosting. It is primarily found in the mouths of major estuaries. The main downside to this bird is that it is present only in the Winter, and going near mudflats in Winter isn't exactly everyone's cup of tea. In its rather drab Winter colours it is not necessarily that easy to pick out amongst similarly drab dunlin, but it's main identifying feature is that it is the largest of the sandpiper-y waders, though not as the larger plovers like golden or grey.

Related Species:

Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae

Genus: Calidris
Subspecies: C. c. roselaari, C. c. rufa, C. c. canutus, C. c. islandica, C. c. rogersi, C. c. piersmai

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Locally abundant Winter migrant (320,000 birds)

 - A number seen at Elmley Marshes on Winter visits to the first hides.

  

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

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Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)

OTHER NAMES: Avocet
Latin Etymology: Recurvirostra ("curved backwards beak") avosetta ("avocet")

Adult Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) at Frampton Marshes, Lincolnshire - August 2023

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 225-395g  /  Length: 43-45cm  /  Wingspan: 76-80cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List - Least Concern

The Avocet, or as it is known to people where it is not the only species of it's genus, the Pied Avocet is a striking wader notable for its strongly upturned beak and distinctive black and white plumage. It is perhaps most famous for being the logo of the RSPB. It is one of the more localised waders and is rarely seen on passage, so generally it's easiest to see them at sites where they are resident - the reserves around the Swale in Kent are fairly reliable options. Though they are not especially flighty, they do tend to prefer deeper water than most waders and so generally will be fairly distant compared to other species in the same habitat.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Recurvirostridae
Genus: Recurvirostra
Subspecies: none - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce breeding species (1500 pairs) and local Wintering species (7500 birds).

 - Regular at Oare Marshes, Elmley Marshes and Cliffe Pools.  Stray birds seen at Rutland Water and Rainham

SPAIN - Spanish - Avoceta

Resident

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Single bird seen at Laguna del Longar

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

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Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

OTHER NAMES: Purre, Plover's Page, Least Snipe, Dunlin Sandpiper
Latin Etymology: Calidris (bird named by Aristotle) alpina ("of the mountains")

Adult breeding plumage Dunlin (subspecies either C. a. alpina or C. a. schinzii) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - July 2019

Featured Subspecies: Calidris alpina alpina OR Calidris alpina schinzii (?)
Weight: 48-64g  /  Length: 17-21cm  /  Wingspan: 32-36cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the UK's commonest wader, this smallish bird can be seen in small groups either on the coast or on inland reservoirs. It is probably best seen on the coast in Winter or on passage however where it arrives in huge numbers. In theory it probably isn't that difficult to photograph, but getting a good photograph might be tricker unless you are at a suitable site. It is generally the most numerous wader on muddy coastal sites and roosts in large numbers.  It has very distinct plumages in Summer and Winter - the Winter being an unremarkable dull grey-brown, while in Summer it gains a russet colour on top and a distinctive black belly patch.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Calidris 
Subspecies: C. a. arcticola, C. a. pacifica, C. a. hudsonia, C. a.arctica, C. a. schinzii, C. a. alpina, C. a. sakhalina, C. a. actites, C. a. kistchinskii

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce and local breeding species (8,600-10,600 pairs) and numerous Winter visitor (360,000 birds)

 - Birds seen commonly at a large number of sites, including but not limited to Rutland Water, Trevose Head, Rainham Marshes, Pitsford Reservoir, Eyebrook Reservoir, Oare Marshes, Elmley Marshes, Herne Bay and Summerleys.

SPAIN - Spanish Name: Correlimos común ("Common Dunlin")

Scarce and Local Resident

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Seen at Laguna del Longar.     

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

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Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)

OTHER NAMES: Reed Sparrow

Latin Etymology: Emberiza ("bunting") schoeniclus (bird mentioned by Aristotle - possibly wagtail)

  Adult male Reed Bunting (subspecies E. s. schoeniclus) at Frampton Marshes, Lincolnshire, May 2026

Featured Subspecies: Emberiza schoeniclus schoeniclus
Weight: 21kg  /  Length: 16cm  /  Wingspan: 24cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The reed bunting is the second most common bunting in the UK, but perhaps actually easier to see than the Yellowhammer. While mainly a species of reed-beds which can probably be seen at any decently sized piece of such habitat in the country, I've also spotted it several times in the hedgerows around Geddington - as a species it is becoming able to live in environments other than it's original reed beds. That being said, the best place to see them is still going to be places with decent amounts of reeds, personally, I've seen the best quantities in Rainham and Rutland Water.


Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Emberizidae
Genus: Emberiza
Subspecies: E. s. schoeniclus, E. s. passerina, E. s. parvirostris, E. s. parivrostris, E. s. pyrrhulina, E. s. minor, E. s. stresemanni, E. s. ukrainae, E. s. incognita, E. s. pallidior, E. s. witherbyi, E. s. lusitanica, E. s. intermedia, E. s. intermedia, E. s. tschusii, E. s. reiseri, E. s. caspia, E. s. korejewi, E. s. pyrrhuloides, E. s. harterti, E. s. centralasiae, E. s. zaidamensis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common to locally abundant breeding resident (250,000 territories) 

 - Seen at sites including but not limited to Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes and Elmley Marshes. Winter visitor to Geddington.

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

Black-Tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

OTHER NAMES: Common Godwit, Warwhelp, Yarwhip
Latin Etymology: Limosa (species specific name) limosa (species specific name)

 Adult moulting plumage Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) at Frampton Marshes, Lincolnshire - April 2026

Featured Subspecies: Limosa limosa islandica (?)

Weight: 280-340g  /  Length: 39cm  /  Wingspan: 70-82cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List Near Threatened

Technically speaking, the Black Tailed Godwit is the rarer of Britain's two Godwits, but seeing it is probably easier than the bar tailed for two reasons - firstly it has a greater summer presence in the UK compared to the Bar-tail being almost enitrely a winter migrant. Secondly, the Black-tail can be found much more widely on fresh water than the Bar-tail, meaning that it can be seen inland. Combined together it basically means that unlike the Bar-tail, seeing this bird doesn't require going to the sea in Winter. I found photographing it in general relatively easy - it's large size being a good advantage in that regard, but it doesn't seem to be the kind of bird which favours birdwatching close to hides or vantage points from the ones I've seen. Sadly, the bird in this photograph had a broken wing, and this is likely the only reason I got a photo this clear without it flying off.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae 
Genus: Limosa 
Subspecies: L. l. islandica, L. l. limosa, L. l. melanuroides

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare breeding species (c. 55 pairs), locally commong Wintering bird (44,000 birds) and passage migrant (12,400 birds)

 - Seen at sites including Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Elmley Marshes. Herne Bay and Oare Marshes

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

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Common Teal (Anas crecca)

OTHER NAMES: Teal, Eurasian Teal

Latin Etymology: Anas ("duck") crecca (from Swedish name "Kricka" for species)

Adult male Common Teal (subspecies  A. c. crecca) at Rutland Water, Rutland - March 2022

Featured Subspecies: Anas crecca crecca
Weight: 320-340g  /  Length: 20-30cm  /  Wingspan: 53-59cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Teal is one of the comparatively more common ducks, at least as far as suitable habitat is available. It can frequently be seem at the waters edge feeding in the mud. This makes it relatively easy to photograph if the shoreline is relatively close to wherever you are viewing them from which helps, given that they are very small for a duck and thus you need to be slightly closer.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anas
Subspecies: A. c. crecca, A. c. nimia

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Uncommon breeding species (1,600-2,800 pairs) and locally common Wintering species (220,000 pairs)

 - Seen in Winter at sites including Rutland Water, Oare Marshes, Elmley Marshes, Pitsford Reservoir and Eyebrook Reservoir. 

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

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Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)

OTHER NAMES: Wigeon, Widgeon, Whew-duck

Latin Etymology: Anas ("duck") penelope (the mythic Penelope)

Four adult Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) - three male, one female, with Eurasian Coot at Oare Marshes, Kent - March 2012

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 500-1000g  /  Length: 42-52cm  /  Wingspan: 71-80cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The wigeon is a common duck, primarily present in Winter in which it arrives in the UK in numbers exceeding 400,000. It can often be found in coastal marshland in large numbers during this time, although it can also be found on many decently sized bodies of water. Another slightly shy duck that tends to stay a reasonable distance from easy viewing, and thus may be slightly more difficult to photograph.

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

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Rare breeding species (300-500 pairs), locally abundant Wintering bird (450,000 birds) 

 - Seen at sites including Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Elmley Marshes, Pitsford Reservoir, Ditchford Gravel Pits and Eyebrook Reservoir and Oare Marshes

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

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