The year has got off to a relatively warm start so there are plenty of birds around at the minute, both around our garden feeders and in the countryside generally. Those who are easily able to get out to local waterways can find waterbirds in abundance, particularly on local reservoirs. Mallard, Mute Swan and Canada geese are everywhere, but there are plenty of other species of wildfowl that can be identified without too much difficulty. One of these is the Tufted Duck with its black head, neck and back contrasting with white sides, together with its distinctive crest. They are diving ducks, feeding largely on molluscs and insects, and some plant material. Many are here all year round, but their numbers are boosted considerably in the winter by birds from northern Europe. The one shown here was seen at Sence Valley Forest Park, near Ibstock.
Closer to home, we are lucky to have Goldcrests visiting a spruce tree in our front garden almost every day. They are the UK’s smallest birds so they can be difficult to spot, especially with their dull green-grey plumage. However, the bright yellow stripe on the head makes them easy to identify. They are another species that sees an influx of large numbers of continental birds in the winter, so now is probably the best time to see them. They are usually to be found in coniferous trees in parks and gardens, where they feed on small insects and spiders, together with moth eggs and other tiny morsels.
Open spaces locally will offer a wide variety of species. Winter visitors such as Fieldfare, Redwing and Brambling have been recorded in large numbers around Leicestershire recently, as well as residents such as Blackbird, Meadow Pipit and Linnet. A walk last week around Everard Meadows near Narborough also gave us delightful sightings of a Kingfisher. This unmistakable bird, with its bright blue plumage and orange breast, can often be seen flying low over rivers and canals or sitting on a branch over the water, waiting for small fish to swim below them. Although not all that uncommon, they do suffer badly in harsh winters when up to one third of the population can die as heavy rain and ice can make it impossible for them to catch fish.
Birds are amongst our most beautiful and charismatic wildlife and are usually the easiest to spot. If you are new to birdwatching, it is easy to set up bird feeders in your garden close to where you can comfortably sit and observe them. It will often take a while for the birds to get used to a new feeding station, but before long you will have a regular stream of birds taking advantage of the free food. As you become familiar with the garden birds, trips out to parks and nature reserves, or to reservoirs and beauty spots, will reward you with a wealth of new species to see. I think few things lift the spirits on a winter’s day more than birds such as those shown here.
The year has got off to a relatively warm start so there are plenty of birds around at the minute, both around our garden feeders and in the countryside generally. Those who are easily able to get out to local waterways can find waterbirds in abundance, particularly on local reservoirs. Mallard, Mute Swan and Canada geese are everywhere, but there are plenty of other species of wildfowl that can be identified without too much difficulty. One of these is the Tufted Duck with its black head, neck and back contrasting with white sides, together with its distinctive crest. They are diving ducks, feeding largely on molluscs and insects, and some plant material. Many are here all year round, but their numbers are boosted considerably in the winter by birds from northern Europe. The one shown here was seen at Sence Valley Forest Park, near Ibstock.
Closer to home, we are lucky to have Goldcrests visiting a spruce tree in our front garden almost every day. They are the UK’s smallest birds so they can be difficult to spot, especially with their dull green-grey plumage. However, the bright yellow stripe on the head makes them easy to identify. They are another species that sees an influx of large numbers of continental birds in the winter, so now is probably the best time to see them. They are usually to be found in coniferous trees in parks and gardens, where they feed on small insects and spiders, together with moth eggs and other tiny morsels.
Open spaces locally will offer a wide variety of species. Winter visitors such as Fieldfare, Redwing and Brambling have been recorded in large numbers around Leicestershire recently, as well as residents such as Blackbird, Meadow Pipit and Linnet. A walk last week around Everard Meadows near Narborough also gave us delightful sightings of a Kingfisher. This unmistakable bird, with its bright blue plumage and orange breast, can often be seen flying low over rivers and canals or sitting on a branch over the water, waiting for small fish to swim below them. Although not all that uncommon, they do suffer badly in harsh winters when up to one third of the population can die as heavy rain and ice can make it impossible for them to catch fish.
Birds are amongst our most beautiful and charismatic wildlife and are usually the easiest to spot. If you are new to birdwatching, it is easy to set up bird feeders in your garden close to where you can comfortably sit and observe them. It will often take a while for the birds to get used to a new feeding station, but before long you will have a regular stream of birds taking advantage of the free food. As you become familiar with the garden birds, trips out to parks and nature reserves, or to reservoirs and beauty spots, will reward you with a wealth of new species to see. I think few things lift the spirits on a winter’s day more than birds such as those shown here.