Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudus)

OTHER NAMES: Long-tailed Jaeger
Latin Etymology: Stercorarius ("of dung") longicaudus ("long wing")

 

Intermediate morph Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudus) at Bridlington Harbour, East Yorkshire - September 2023

Featured Subspecies: Stercorarius longicaudus longicaudus
Weight: 230-444g  /  Length: 35-58cm  /  Wingspan: 102-117cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The smallest of the world's skuas, the Long-tailed is a breeder in the high Arctic tundra, it has an almost pigeon like face in some faces, making it seem an overall gentler bird than it's large cousins. That said, it is still both a hunter and a pirate, robbing other seabirds of their catch, as well as eating rodents.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Stercorariidae
Genus: Stercorarius
SUBSPECIES: S. l. longicaudus, S. l. pallescens

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce passage migrant 
 - Several seen at Bridlington in September 2023

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

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European Goshawk (Astur gentilis)

OTHER NAMES: Goshawk
Latin Etymology: Astur ("hawk") gentilis ("noble/gentle")

Juvenile Northern Goshawk (Astur gentilis - unknown subspecies) in Norfolk - February 2021

Featured Subspecies: (Presumably) Accipiter accipiter gentilis
Weight: 0.6-1.4kg  /  Length: 55-61cm  /  Wingspan: 110cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

It seems somewhat paradoxical that one of the most widely distributed of all raptors - found throughout Europe and Northern Asia has been one of the most difficult to catch up with. In part this is due to it's lifestyle; it's a dedicated forest hunter that is only easily seen during the breeding season when they display above the forest, but also it's history in the UK has shaped how easily seen it is. In the Middle Ages it was a highly regarded species - only the nobility were allowed to use them in falconry, but as habits changed to gamekeeper lead shooting, they were now viewed as a menace. The population was all but eradicated, and only supplemented by the release (both accidentaly and intentional) of falconers birds was it able to survive. Whether this means the UK population is of mixed subspecies heritage is unclear. However, the threat of gamekeepers remains, and after the Hen Harrier is potentially the most persecuted raptor in the British Isles.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Accipiter
Subspecies: A. g. gentilis, A. g. arrigonii, A. g. buteoides, A. g. albidus, A. g. schvedowi, A. g. schvedowi, A. g. fujiyamae, A. g. atricapillus, A. g. laingi, A. g. apache

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread but scarce and secretive resident.

 - Seen in Norfolk (undisclosed site) .

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

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Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea)

OTHER NAMES: Muttonbird
Latin Etymology: Ardenna ("of Ardennes") grisea ("grey")

Adult Sooty Shearwaters (Ardenna grisea) on Half Moon Bay Pelagic - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: None - monotypic
Weight: 650-980g  /  Length: 40-51cm  /  Wingspan: 94-110cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

The sooty shearwater is a somewhat strange species to quantify; it had a vast range that covers much of the Atlantic, Pacific and South Seas ranging from Iceland to nearly Antarctica, and circumnavigates the world. Yet it also has a very very small number of breeding locations - limited entirely to some at the Southern most tip of South America, the East Coast of Australia and a number around New Zealand. Yet because of their pelagic lifestyle they wander the globe hunting for fish and squid, often following whales. They are one of a number of all-dark shearwater species globally, but the only one found in the UK, where they are best seen in late Summer.

Related Species:
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Procellariidae
Genus: Ardenna
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A somewhat uncommon pelagic passage migrant.

 - One bird seen on a boat trip off The Lizard, Cornwall, 

UNITED STATES 
Found off Pacific and Atlantic Coasts, including Hawai'i
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Abundant on the Half Moon Bay Pelagic Trip

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

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Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)

OTHER NAMES: Red Crossbill, Crossbill
Latin Etymology: Loxia ("crosswise") curvirostra ("curved bill")

Adult male Common Crossbill (subspecies L. c. curvirostra) at Cockley Cley, Norfolk - February 2021

Featured Subspecies: Loxia curvirostra curvirostra
Weight: 23-53g  /  Length: 14-20cm  /  Wingspan: 29cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

Perhaps the center of one of the most muddy bits of avian taxonomy in Europe, the Common Crossbill as it stands is a wide ranging conifer seed specialist with a range that covers a not insubstantial chunk of the Northern Hemisphere. However, as many populations are isolated and have begun to specialise in the seeds of particular trees, the debate for dividing them into subspecies or even species is a complex issue.  They have also long been one of my most infamous "bogey-birds" - they are highly irruptive so in theory can be found anywhere, but I have missed out on them time and time again in the UK, until finally seeing the birds resident on Mount Etna.

Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Loxia
SUBSPECIES: L. c. curvirostra, L. c. corsicana, L. c. poliogyna, L. c. guillemardi, L. c. mariae, L. c. altaiensis, L. c. tianschanica, L. c. himalayensis, L. c. meridionalis, L. c. japonica, L c. luzoniensis, L. c. minor, L. c. sitkensis, L. c. bendirei, L. c. benti, L. c. grinelli, L. c. stricklandi, L. c. mesamericana, L. c. pusilla

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread but localised and highly mobile resident, plus irruptive Winter visitor

 - Seen at Cockley Cley, Norfolk in February 2021 .

ITALY - Italian - Crociere Comune 
A localised resident in coniferous areas

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP: Fairly common in the conifer zone of Mount Etna - subspecies  L. c. poliogyna*

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

* The Crossbills of Etna are currently considered to be members of the North African subspecies, however, there is speculation that they might represent their own taxon due to physical differences.

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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 .

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)

OTHER NAMES: Hoodie, Scotch Crow, Danish Crow

Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") cornix ("crow")

Hooded Crow (subspecies Corvus cornix) at  Side, Antalya, Turkey - March 2025

Featured Subspecies:  Corvus cornix pallescens
Weight: 510g  /  Length: 48-52cm  /  Wingspan: 98cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Hooded Crow is a close relation of the Carrion Crow, and they they tend to be dispersed throughout Europe in such a way as that usually one species replaces the other in any one place with a bit of overlap.  In the British Isles, Hooded Crows are found in North West Scotland, the Isle of Man and Ireland, but the bulk of their range is throughout Eastern Europe.  I have made attempts to see vagrant Hooded Crows before, but this individual was seen at Vienna airport while waiting for a plane.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Subspecies: C. c. cornix, C. c. pallescens, C. c. sharpii, C. c. capellanus

 - Sighting Locations -

AUSTRIA - Austrian: Nebelkrähe - "Fog Crow"

Common breeding resident

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP - STOPOVER: Two birds seen at Vienna Airport 

 - VIENNA 2024: Common throughout.

ITALY - Italian: Cornacchia Grigia ("Grey Crow")
An fairly common resident

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP -  Fairly common - seen at Capo Murro di Porco and Mount Etna.

TURKEY  -   Turkish:Başlıklı karga ("Noble Crow")
 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - Very common.

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 .

Little Stint (Calidris minuta)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Calidris (waterside bird mentioned by Aristotle) minuta ("tiny")

Two adult Little Stint (Calidris minuta) in Autumn transition plumage at Oare Marshes, Kent - October 2017

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 20-30g  /  Length: 14-15.5cm  /  Wingspan: 27-30cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Little Stints are tiny waders mostly seen on passage, but small nubmers, such as this one, do Winter in the UK.  They often mix in with Dunlin and can be tricky to pick out, despite the differences, just because picking out any different individuals from a swarm of little scuttling birds is a challenge.  Their Autumn plumage is a lot more distinctive than their Winter one. Despite its tiny size, it migrates spectacular distances - from the Arctic to Africa and South Asia. 

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Calidris
Subspecies: None - monotypic

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce passage migrant (460 birds) and very rare Winter migrant (14 birds)

 - At Oare Marshes in September 2012, March 2012 and October 2017. 

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

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)

OTHER NAMES: Oldsquaw

Latin Etymology: Clangula ("to resound") hyemalis ("Winter")

Adult female Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) at Chatham Harbour, Kent - January 2012

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 740kg  /  Length: 44-60cm  /  Wingspan: 71cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List Vulnerable

The long-tailed duck is one of the UKs four specialist sea-ducks, and is one of the harder to see.  Unlike Eiders and Common Scoters it does not breed in this country, but Winters here from further north.  From the picture here, you may be wondering about the name, as the there isn't a great deal noticeable about the tail, but, in summer it will gain a spectacularly long upwards curving tail practically the length of the duck again, plus a more striking sharp black and white plumage.  A winter bird, like this one, has got significantly more drab plumage and so isn't quite so impressive.  This specific individual was a bit of an oddity - they are normally found only in flocks from Northumbria upwards, while this individual was alone in a harbour in Kent and had been for months - presumably it had got separated from other birds and blown off course - but as it had apparently been there for months, at least it appeared to have settled to life there and was probably far more tolerant of humans than normal.

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

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Scarce Wintering species (11,000 birds) 

 - Slightly off-course birds seen at Chatham Harbour in January 2012, and another at Queen Mother Reservoir

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

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Cettia (after Francesco Cetti) cetti (after Francesco Cetti)

Adult Cett's Warbler (subspecies C. c. cetti) at Oare Marshes - September 2012

Featured Subspecies: Cettia cetti cetti
Weight: 12-15g  /  Length: 14cm  /  Wingspan: 17cm
UK GREEN LIST  / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Cetti's warbler is one of the most recent colonists to the UK - only establishing itself in 1973 - it is a reedbed dweller, and even compared to our other reedbed dwelling species can be a pain to catch more than a fleeting glance.  Unlike our other reedbed warbler species however, it remains in the UK during the winter.  Actually getting a positive identification on this species can be a pain, and you are much more likely to hear one than see one - but, if you look in the Winter when it'll be the only warbler in the reeds you might just strike lucky.  I've had a little luck playing back a recorded Cetti's song to get them to emerge.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cettidae
Genus: Cettia
Subspecies: C. c. cetti, C. c. orientalis, C. c. albiventris

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Unommon breeding resident (2000 males) in Southern Britain

 - Various sites including Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Ditchford Gravel Pits and Oare Marshes. 

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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White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)

OTHER NAMES: Greater White-fronted Goose, Greater Whitefront, Specklebelly
Latin Etymology: Anser ("goose") albifrons ("white-forehead")

Adult White-fronted Goose (subspecies A. a. flaviostris - "Greenland White-Fronted Goose") at Keswick, Cumbria - April 2011

Featured Subspecies: Anser albifrons flaviostris
Weight: 1.9-3.3kg  /  Length: 64-81cm  /  Wingspan: 130-165cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

White-fronted geese are a migrant species which turn up in various regions of the UK in Winter in large groups. This particular bird is a bit of an oddity - it was found with a mixed group of other geese grazing on a sheep field, on its own, outside normal wintering sites. It is of the Greenland race rather than the Siberian one - it can be identified by the orange rather than pink beak. Ordinarily however the best places to look for these birds would be in established Wintering sites.

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anser
Featured Subspecies: A. a. flavirostris, A. a. albifrons, A. a. elgasi, A. a. gambelli, A. a. sponsa

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A local but fairly abundant Winter migrant (2,400 birds of subsoecies albifrons, 13,000 of subspecies flaviostris)

 - A single bird seen at Keswick in 2011 associating with Greylag Geese.

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

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Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)

OTHER NAMES: Red-breasted Goosander, Red-breasted Sheldrake, Garbill, Sea Robin
Latin Etymology: Mergus (unidentified bird named by Pliny) serrator ("saw")

Adult male Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) at East Wemyss, Fife -  January 2026

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 780-1350g  /  Length: 52-58cm  /  Wingspan: 70-86cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Red-breasted mergansers are the rarer species of "sawbill" found in the United Kingdom - they are far less numerous and more localised Goosanders - found more in the North and West of the country. They also Winter around the coast in other parts of the country. Smaller than Goosanders, the defining feature is the red neck of the name when comparing it against Goosanders.  I first came across this species while intentionally looking for them in the lake district, but have subsequently had the odd distance view along the Kent coast.

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

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce and local breeding species (2,400 pairs) and uncommon Wintering species (9000 birds)

 - A small flock seen on Derwent Water in April 2011.  Also on the sea off North Kent and Fife in the Winter.

JAPAN - Japanese - ウミアイサ / Umi-aisa  ("Sea merganser"/"Sea Autumn-Sand")

A Winter migrant

  - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Seen on the sea in Akkeshi.

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

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