Category Archives: Birds

A delightful and often confiding little bird, the Long tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) has a proportionally long tail and almost spherical body. The long-tailed tit is often seen in large animated flocks; it moves in a rather jerky fashion and has … Continue reading →

This morning was my first morning data collection point at Pearman’s Copse. As it was before dawn, the M4 was relatively free of traffic, which meant I could actually hear bird song! In total, another 16 bird species were recorded … Continue reading →

Young avian migrants of many species are able to find their species- or population-specific wintering area without the help of conspecifics. In orientation tests hand-raised birds have been demonstrated to choose appropriate population-specific migratory directions, suggesting a genetic basis to … Continue reading →

The Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) is a well-marked and distinctive warbler. The Blackcap has an engaging and musical song, and is easy to identify in all plumages. The sexes are dissimilar. 

Today was the turn of my first dawn sample at Redhatch Copse, behind Sibly Hall. It was very cold this morning – about 4 degrees – but 12 species were still spotted, with a further 5 species being recorded. In total 17 … Continue reading →

Tonight was the time for my data collection at Pearmans copse woodland, which is a 9 acre site near the m4. It has managed coppiced ash, hazel and field maple and is classed as a wildlife heritage site. Unfortunately, the weather … Continue reading →

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a very social bird. It is gregarious at all seasons when feeding, often forming flocks with other types of bird.  It also roosts communally, its nests are usually grouped together in clumps, and it engages … Continue reading →

The House sparrow (Passer domesticus), is a familiar species, in part because of its affinity for human habitation. The house sparrow frequently dust-bathes, and is often seen in small groups on house roofs. Where it is fed in urban parks, it can … Continue reading →

Redhatch Copse is defined as ancient semi-natural woodland, which is composed of native tree species that have not obviously been planted. Ancient woodland is likely to have existed continuously since 1600. Looking at maps dating from the mid-1700s to present … Continue reading →

Whenever territories vary in quality in a consistent way, individual birds may develop behaviour that allows them to maximize territory quality. Individuals may settle preferentially in good territories or shift to better sites whenever possible. The benefit of this selective … Continue reading →