Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola)

OTHER NAMES: Woodcock, Great snipe, Kevelek
Latin Etymology: Scolopax ("woodcock") rusticola ("rural inhabitant")

Adult Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) at Flamborough Head, Yorkshire - November 2023

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 240-420g  /  Length: 33-35cm  /  Wingspan: 55-65cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The woodcock is a species that manages to be abundant, but at the same time one of the most hard to catch up with in any meaningful way of all British species.  Although it is a member of the waders, it is a resident of woodland, where it uses it's long beak to probe into wet ground to find it's food.  It is also a species that is not only largely nocturnal but very well camouflaged and frequently only breaks cover at the last possible second - this bird here was in a ditch about 2 meters away from me, with me having no idea it was there until it burst forth for an instant before swooping off and vanishing again.  It's more readily seen on evenings at places where it breeds, where it has a distinctive "roding" call, although in other places it is best seen after snow in Winter, where they are both more conspicous and more likely to come into the open.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Scolopax
Subspecies: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Uncommon breeding (55,000 pairs) and abundant Winter visitor (1.4 million birds)

 - Migrant birds seen at Geddington during periods of snow. Two birds flushed on Flamborough Head in November 2023.

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

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Sylvia ("woodland sprite") curruca (bird mentioned by Juvenal)

Adult Lesser Whitethroats (subspecies S. c. curruca) at Alexandra Palace, London - September 2015

Featured Subspecies: Sylvia curruca curruca

Weight: 12g  /  Length: 13cm  /  Wingspan: 18cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Lesser Whitethroat is perhaps the most difficult to see species relative to how common it is - it is perhaps the most skulking of the widespread warblers of the UK, much easier to hear than it is to see with it's vaguely belligerent harsh sounding repeated "jut" sounds.   It also suffers from being similar to the related common whitethroat, there are some features which can be used to separate it out - dark coloured legs, a pale "milky" breast (rather than pinkish), a dark mask (rather than a uniformly grey head) and a cool brown back (rather than warm russet).  I'd actually seen this species a couple of times prior to finally managing to photograph it, generally glimpses before vanishing into a thicket. However, while in Alexandra Park in Autumn I ended up getting easily identifiable views on several occasions throughout the morning - this could tie into the fact that as their migration approaches they apparently are less skulking.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sylvdiidae
Genus: Sylvia
Subspecies: S. c. curruca, S. c. blythi

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Widespread but secretive breeding Summer migrant (74,000 birds) 

 - Seen in late Summer at Rutland Water and Alexandra Palace, heard in various other locations

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

Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

OTHER NAMES: Bay-winged Hawk, Dusky Hawk

Latin Etymology: Parabuteo ("Near-buzzard") diomedea ("single banded")

Adult Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus, unknown subspecies) near Geddington, Northants - March 2014

Featured Subspecies - *unknown*
Weight: 710-1020g  /  Length: 46-76cm  /  Wingspan: 100-120cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern

Harris's Hawk is not a native species to Europe, it is a species of the Americas, but there are increasing numbers of them found living wild in the UK - possibly to the point of being more numerous than some native species, if not in viable population yet.  This stems largely from their enormous popularity as a bird for Falconry.  They are often considered beginners birds, possibly as they naturally hunt in groups in the wild it makes them suitable for training.  However, due to this popularity it means escapes are common and they can be found in various places throughout the country.  Recently they has been one pair who bred, although the female and eggs were recaptured, however, as more escapes enter the wild, the possibility of further breeding increases.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Parabuteo
Subspecies: P. u. superior, P. u. harrisi, P. u. unicinctus

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An escapee only species, but one of the more regular to do so - has bred once 

 - A single escaped bird has set up residence in the surroundings of Geddington.

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

Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla)

OTHER NAMES: Cock o' the north, Mountain Finch

Latin Etymology: Fringilla ("finch") montifringilla ("mountain finch")

Adult male Winter plumage Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) at Summer Leys, Northants - April 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 22-30g  /  Length: 14cm  /  Wingspan: 24-26cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Bramblings can be one of the more frustrating finches to find, a winter migrant finch that largely associated with flocks of Chaffinches.  They are largely found normally in North Eastern Europe, and like other birds from those places can irrupt to send large numbers into Western Europe in particularly bad Winters.  However, although they associate with Chaffinch flocks, which are fairly common, actually pinning one down can be frustrating, as searching through large flocks of Chaffinches on the offchance of finding one can be a bit frustrating.  After encounterign them a few times, I would say the best way to find them would be to listen to Winter Chaffinch flocks for their call, which is a deeper, huskier and I would say more confused sounding noise.  After you are aware of their presence, it's a matter of looking through the flock to find them.

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

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A Winter migrant in variable numnbers, (anywhere between 45,000 and 1,800,000 birds)

 - Migrant birds seen at Rutland Water (2 Winter plumage females in 2013) and Geddington (individuals seen in 2014, 2015 and 2016), .

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

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

OTHER NAMES: Strawsmear, Small straw, Haychat, Pettychaps

Latin Etymology: Sylvia ("woodland sprite") borin (Genoese name for species)

Adult Garden Warbler (subspecies S. b. borin) in Geddington Chase, Northants - July 2012

Featured Subspecies: Sylvia borin borin
Weight: 16-22g  /  Length: 14cm  /  Wingspan: 22cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

It could easily be argued that the Garden warbler is the most drab species of bird in the UK - you can even take this to the point where most guides I've seen note its lack of distinguishing features as its distinguishing feature! In general though, the slightly short beak and relatively heavy build set it apart from most warblers. Its song is very similar to the blackcap, but as that has radically different plumage if you see it it shouldn't be a problem. Supposedly quite numerous, the biggest issue with this bird is that it is a skulker.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes 
Family: Sylviidae 
Genus: Sylvia 
Subspecies: S. b. borin, S. b. woodwardi

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Fairly common breeding Summer migrant (170,000 territories)

 - Seen reasonably often around Geddington and Brigstock in appropriate habitat at the right time of year,

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)

OTHER NAMES: Cuckoo, Gowk
Latin Etymology: Cuculus ("cuckoo") canorus ("melodious")

Adult female Common Cuckoo (subspecies C. c. canorus) at Rutland Water, Rutland - May 2024

Featured Subspecies: Cuculus canorus canorus
Weight: 115g  /  Length: 32-36cm  /  Wingspan: 55-60cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Cuckoos have numerous things of note to them - they are the only members of their genus found regularly in the UK. They are also famous for their parental techniques - they are brood parasites - they plant their eggs in the nests of other birds to get them to do them for them. They are easily found when they are around by their loud and distinctive call - the "cuckoo" sound of their name. As with many African migrant species however, there have been some harsh declines in recent history, primarily due to trapping migratory species en-route.

Related Species:
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Cuculidae
Genus: Cuculus
Subspecies: C. c. bangsi, C. c. canorus, C. c. subtelephonus, C. c. bakeri

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An uncommon Summer breeding migrant (16,000 pairs)

 - Birds heard in Geddington most years, but rarely seen, also seen and heard at Fermyn Woods and Cliffe Pools

ITALY - Italian - Cuculo ("cuckoo")

A localised resident in coniferous areas

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP: Several heard on Mount Etna

SPAIN - Spanish - Cuco ("cuckoo")

A Summer migrant (subspecies C. c. bangsi)

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Several birds heard at El Pardo

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

Willow Tit (Poecile montanus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Poecile (unknown small bird) montanus ("of the mountains")

Adult Willow Tit (subspecies P. m. kleinshcmidti) in Pitsford Reservoir, Northants -  January 2011

Featured Subspecies: Poecile montanus kleinschmidti
Weight: 12-13g  /  Length: 10-13cm  /  Wingspan: 19cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The most pressing issue with the Willow Tit is the fact it is very very similar looking to the more common marsh tit, and indeed, often they can live in the same places and habitats. The Marsh Tit is by far the more common of the two around where I live, so generally, I tend to assume that a bird is a Marsh tit unless I have reason to doubt it. The are a few identifying features however - the pale panel on the wing and the roundness, which I've seen described as "bull necked" or "egg shaped". The real best feature for this species is the call, the standard call for each being very distinct - in the case of the Marsh tit, which is a fairly typical high pitched and slightly sneeze like tweeting, while these birds call with a deeper and more nasal "pchay chay chay". It's probably worth taking a look online to listen to the difference.  The is doing fine worldwide, it has suffered massive declines in the UK.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Poecile
Subspecies: P. m. kleinschmidti, P. m. rhenanus, P. m. salicarius, P. m. montanus, P. m. borealis, P. m. uralensis, P. m. baicalensis, P. m. anadyrensis, P. m. kamtschatkensis, P. m. sachalinensis, P. m. restrictus, P. m. songarus, P. m. affinis, P. m. stoetzneri   

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread but scarce and local breeding resident (3,400 pairs)

 - Occasional single birds seen at Pitsford Reservoir and Geddington.

Further Information: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)

OTHER NAMES: Waxwing
Latin Etymology: Bombycilla ("silk tail") garrulus ("chattering")

Adult Bohemian Waxwing (subspecies B. g. garrulus) in Kettering, Northants - December 2010

Featured Subspecies: Bombycilla garrulus garrulus
Weight: 55g  /  Length: 19-23cm  /  Wingspan: 32-35.5cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The waxwing has the potential to be a problematic species to spot, dependent on year. In most years only around a hundred appear in the UK in the Winter. On the flip side, generally in the region of every four years, they arrive in massive numbers, as there is insufficient food in their native Scandinavia - these are called "irruptions". It's in these years that they are probably easiest to see, as they can appear anywhere and everywhere, and are indeed often reported in supermarket car-parks with lots of ornamental berries. Photographically they have a great benefit in that they aren't that bothered by humans - I was literally a few meters away from the bush in which this photo was taken.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Bombycillidae
Genus: Bombycilla
Subspecies: B. g. garrulus, B. g. centralasiae, B. g. pallidiceps

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A variable Winter migrant, usually rare (about 100 birds), but in irruption years up to 11,000.

 - One flock I found stayed in the centre of Kettering for a month in 2010. A pair also seen fleetingly in Geddington that year..

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

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Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates minor)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Dryobates ("woodland walker") minor ("small")

Adult female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (subspecies D. m. comminutus) Geddington Chase - December 2010

Featured Subspecies: Dryobates Minor comminutus
Weight: 18-21g  /  Length: 15cm  /  Wingspan: 26cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The lesser spotted woodpecker has a bit of a reputation for being difficult to see, despite it's wide distribution. It is much smaller than the greater spotted being on about the same scale as a sparrow, it's main distinguishing feature other than the size being the black and white barred back. It is best seen in the winter and spring by most accounts, on the basis that it is easier to see in the top of the trees when there are no leaves present. I must admit, I have no idea what is going on with it's taxonomy at the minute - while researching this page I came across three separate genus it was alternately placed in, so I've listed them all for the sake of then one at least will be correct.

Related Species:

Order: Piciformes

Family: Picidae

Genus: Dryobates
Subspecies: D. m. comminutus, D. m. hortorum, D. m. buturlini, D. m. minor, D. m. amurensis, D. m. kamtschatkensis, D. m. colchicus, D. m. danfordi, D. m. quadrifasciatus, D. m. morgani, D. m. ledouci  

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce and secretive resident (1000-2000 pairs)

 - A single bird seen on Geddington Chase in December 2010 and again in April 2017.  

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

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Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus)

OTHER NAMES: Siskin, Black-headed Goldfinch, Barleybird, Aberdevine

Latin Etymology: Spinus (bird mentioned by Aristophanes) spinus (bird mentioned by Aristophanes)

Adult Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus) at Geddington, Northants - March 2013

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 12-18g  /  Length: 11-12.5cm  /  Wingspan: 20-23cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

For me the siskin proved to be a bit of a bogey bird for a while since I started this blog. In theory there are half as many siskins as the very common (but suffering major declines) greenfinch, plus winter migrants. In practice, despite having them on my bird table on a daily basis the winter before I started this site, I had not seen hide nor hair of one until for a year and a half after I started this blog.  Subsequently, connecting with them has become a bit easier as I've got more use to the sorts of places to look for them. As they do feed in gardens fairly readily, this is ultimately probably the place to get the best views of them, as with many finches they seem to favour niger seed for me.  In Winter they tend to travel in flocks and are most often seen in the treetops feeding on seeds - sometime accompanied by goldfinch or redpoll, most visibly in February and early March.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Spinus
Subspecies: none - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Locally abundant breeding resident (369,000 pairs) and widely distributed Winter migrant.

 - Seen in Geddington most Winters, although in very variable numbers.

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

Redpoll (Acanthis flammea)

OTHER NAMES: Redpoll

Latin Etymology: Acanthis (Greek name for a small unidentied bird) flammea ("fiery")

Adult male Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) at Geddington, Northants - March 2013

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 9-12g  /  Length: 11.5-12.5cm  /  Wingspan: 20-22.5cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Theoretically at least, this is a widespread finch present for most of the year in most of the country (or at least in Winter in a certain central section). On the flip-side of that however is that it's got a comparatively small population, and thus presumably, a rather patchy distribution. Winter is probably the best time to see it as without the leaves on the trees it'll be much more visible.  While for a while it was regarded as three separate species, more recent genetic evidence points to their being negligible genetic differences between populations.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Acanthis

Subspecies: none - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widely distributed breeding resident (220,000 pairs) which disperses in Winter to be found in wider habitat.

 - Seen some Winters in Geddington. Also seen at Rutland Water and Fineshade Woods. .

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

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Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)

OTHER NAMES: Hobby, Northern Hobby

Latin Etymology: Falco ("falcon") subbuteo ("near-buzzard")

 Adult Eurasian Hobby (subspecies F. s. subbuteo) at Summer Leys, Northants - May 2021

Featured Subspecies: Falco subbuteo subbuteo
Weight: 175-285g  /  Length: 29-36cm  /  Wingspan: 78-84cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Hobby is a small falcon which specialises in high speed hunting in the air, mainly feeding on small birds an insects. It's Britain's only migratory falcon and arrives in the summer. While present mainly around reservoirs and wetlands, they are apparently also found in open country with copses, but I suspect the wetland habitats are easier. I've struggled for a while to try and see this species, and when I finally did encounter it, I ran into a variation of "the swift problem". The basic issue being that as they hunt in the air, are relatively small and are very fast moving training a camera on them in flight is difficult - fortunately they are bigger than swifts and thus easily to capture in wider shots using scenery as a landscape focusing point if like me you don't have a manual zoom which can be operated by hand.

Related Species:

Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Falco
Subspecies: F. s. subbuteo, F. s. streichi

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Scarce Summer migrant breeding species (2,800 birds)

 - Seen at Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes and Cliffe Pools.  Passage birds seen in Geddington.

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