HELLO TWITCHERS
There are about 3 million birds in London right now. Same amount of folks living in Wales. Funny creatures too (to be completely frank, I thought there’d be way more).
I wanted to try and slowly, but surely, grow people’s knowledge of our airborne friends. If you wanted to take a browse at a few and impress some cherished relationships (not guaranteed).
MARCH BIRDWATCHING TIPS
1. Timing: Early mornings and just before dusk offer the best chances
2. Gear: Bring binoculars and a warm thermos of tea. That’s about all you need for a good old twitch.
3. Respect Nature: Observe from a distance and avoid disturbing the birds.
4. Any open plain and wet areas bring the best in terms of biodiversity - Wetlands, Thames, Hampstead to name a few - be creative. They’re about.
GREAT APPS
Smart Bird ID
Merlin Bird ID
Count yourself lucky if you find these.
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Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
Description: A small olive-brown warbler, known for its repetitive "chiff-chaff" song.
Fun Fact: Chiffchaffs are one of the first migrant warblers to return in spring.
Where to Find: Woodlands, gardens, and parks.
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Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
Description: A warbler with a distinctive black cap (males) or brown cap (females).
Fun Fact: Blackcaps are known as the "northern nightingales" due to their melodious song.
Where to Find: Woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens.
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Garganey (Spatula querquedula)
Description: A small duck with males displaying a distinctive broad white stripe over the eye.
Fun Fact: Garganeys are unique as they migrate to the UK in spring, unlike most ducks.
Where to Find: Wetlands, marshes, and flooded meadows.
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Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus)
Description: The UK's smallest gull, featuring dark underwings in flight.
Fun Fact: Despite their size, Little Gulls are highly skilled fliers.
Where to Find: Inland water bodies during migration.
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Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
Description: A black thrush with a distinctive white crescent on the chest.
Fun Fact: Often called the "mountain blackbird," they prefer upland areas.
Where to Find: Coastal areas and scrubland during migration.
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Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)
Description: A bright yellow bird with a wagging tail.
Fun Fact: Yellow Wagtails follow livestock, feeding on disturbed insects.
Where to Find: Wet meadows and grasslands.
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Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)
Description: A streaky brown warbler with a distinctive white eyebrow stripe.
Fun Fact: Sedge Warblers have complex songs and mimic other bird calls.
Where to Find: Reed beds and wetlands.
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Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
Description: A medium-sized songbird with a distinctive white rump and tail, males have grey upperparts and black facial markings, while females are browner.
Fun Fact: Wheatears undertake one of the longest migrations of any small bird, traveling from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe.
Where to Find: Open fields and grasslands; early arrivals may be spotted in areas like Hampstead Heath or Richmond Park.
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Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)
Description: A small, brown-and-white swallow with a swift, agile flight.
Fun Fact: Sand Martins often return to the same nesting sites each year, excavating tunnels in sandy banks.
Where to Find: Near water bodies with sandy banks; look for them around the River Thames or reservoirs.
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Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)
Description: Sleek and exotic, with a crest and vivid red, yellow, and white markings.
Fun Fact: Their love for berries leads to periodic “irruptions” when food is scarce elsewhere.
Where to Find: Areas with rowan and hawthorn trees, often in North London.
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Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Description: A small, elegant heron with white plumage and black legs with yellow feet.
Fun Fact: Little Egrets use their toes to stir up prey in shallow waters.
Where to Find: Wetlands and riversides, such as WWT London Wetland Centre.
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Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla)
Description: A tiny bird with golden crown stripes, greenish upperparts, and white underparts.
Fun Fact: Despite their size, Firecrests are incredibly hardy and active.
Where to Find: Dense woodlands in places like Richmond Park.
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Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)
Description: Large thrushes with grey heads and speckled chests.
Fun Fact: Often seen in flocks alongside Redwings during winter.
Where to Find: Open fields, berry trees, and parks.
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Redwing (Turdus iliacus)
Description: A small thrush with reddish flanks and a white eyebrow stripe.
Fun Fact: Redwings migrate from Scandinavia and Iceland to the UK every winter.
Where to Find: Parks, gardens, and areas with berry-rich trees.
These are about.
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Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
Description: A completely black crow, adaptable and intelligent.
Fun Fact: Carrion Crows can recognize human faces and remember threats.
Where to Find: Parks, city centers, and open fields.
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House Martin (Delichon urbicum)
Description: A small bird with glossy blue-black upperparts, a white rump, and forked tail.
Fun Fact: House Martins build nests from mud under the eaves of buildings.
Where to Find: Urban and suburban areas.
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Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Description: A slender bird with glossy blue-black upperparts, a red throat, and long forked tail streamers.
Fun Fact: Swallows travel 200 miles daily from South Africa to the UK.
Where to Find: Open countryside, fields, and perched on telephone wires.
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Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus)
Description: A large thrush with grey-brown upperparts and a white belly with black spots.
Fun Fact: Known for aggressively defending mistletoe-laden trees.
Where to Find: Woodlands, parks, and gardens.
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Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)
Description: Bright green plumage and a distinctive squawk make this parrot unmistakable.
Fun Fact: They’re London’s only naturalized parrot species, thriving in urban parks.
Where to Find: Flocks are common in South and West London parks.
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Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
Description: A stunning bird with a red face, golden wing bars, and cheerful tinkling calls.
Fun Fact: Goldfinches were once kept as cage birds for their beautiful songs.
Where to Find: Trees and shrubs, often in parks and gardens.
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Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Description: Male Blackbirds are glossy black; females are brown with speckled breasts.
Fun Fact: Their rich, melodious song is a favorite of bird enthusiasts.
Where to Find: Gardens, parks, and hedgerows.
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Magpie (Pica pica)
Description: Black and white with a long, iridescent tail and striking blue-green wing highlights.
Fun Fact: Magpies are highly intelligent and recognize themselves in mirrors.
Where to Find: Open spaces, parks, and gardens.
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Great Tit (Parus major)
Description: A bold, black-capped bird with bright yellow underparts and white cheeks.
Fun Fact: Great Tits have one of the largest song repertoires among UK birds.
Where to Find: Woodlands, gardens, and parks.
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Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Description: Iconic for its orange-red breast, these small birds are a symbol of winter.
Fun Fact: Robins are fiercely territorial and sing throughout the year.
Where to Find: Gardens, parks, and woodland edges.
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Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)
Description: Large, grey pigeons with a white neck patch and prominent wing bars.
Fun Fact: Their soothing cooing calls are a common sound in London.
Where to Find: Parks, gardens, and open spaces.
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European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Description: Medium-sized birds with iridescent black feathers and white speckles.
Fun Fact: Starlings mimic other birds’ calls and even mechanical sounds.
Where to Find: Parks, rooftops, and gardens, often in large flocks.
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Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
Description: A cheerful bird with bright blue and yellow plumage.
Fun Fact: They are known for their acrobatics, often hanging upside-down to feed.
Where to Find: Gardens, woodlands, and urban parks.
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House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Description: Small, sociable birds with brown and grey plumage.
Fun Fact: House Sparrows thrive near human habitation and are often seen in flocks.
Where to Find: Residential areas, parks, and gardens throughout London.