Gallery - Birds of the Farm

Falcons

Falcons are generally smaller than other birds of prey and have long, pointed wings and long tails. They are ferocious hunters diving on or chasing their prey at great speed.

Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

The Kestral has been classified as an Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

At home in many habitats, from remote mountains to town centres.Frequently hunts beside busy roads. Found throughout Europe,feeds on small mammals,birds and insects which it hunts by hovering or from a nearby perch.

Owls (Strigiformes)

Owls are mainly nocturnal hunters, feeding mostly on small rodents. Some also eat other birds and insects.They have powerful talons and a large,hooked beak, although the beak is partly buried in the feathers and does not look very large. The eyes look forward and are extremely efficient.The ears are also very sensitive, allowing the owls to hear their prey on the ground. Feathery edges to the wings allow the owls to fly silently.

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

The Barn Owl has been classified as an Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

Nocturnal predator which also hunts in day-light during severe weather or when feeding young.it lives in open country with some trees and also hunts over marshes,ditches and road-side verges,feeding on small mammals,birds and insects.It nests in holes in buildings,trees or cliffs.

Ringing Barn Owls

This is a group of photographs that follow the ringing of a adult two year old hen Barn Owl and its supsequent measuring and weight gathering by David Ramsden M.B.E from the Barn Owl Trust.

*PLEASE NOTE* That ringing at the nest is illegal without a nest disturbance licence.This is only issued to an appropiately qualified and experienced person after many years of training.

Little Owl (Athene noctua)

This small owl which was introduced into the UK in the 19th Century can be seen perched in the open during daylight. It hunts at dusk,after dark and around dawn feeding on insects, small mammals and worms. It lives in a variety of habitats including farmland,orchards and quarries.

Plovers (Charadriidae)

Plovers can be told from almost all other waders by their short beaks. They probe for worms, grubs and shellfish.

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

The Lapwing has been classified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

Lapwings breed in open,flat country including farmland and coastal marshes. The aerial display is exciting and noisy as Lapwing rises and tumbles over its territory.Nests on the ground.

Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae)

These birds have plump bodies,small heads and short legs. They can fly very fast.

Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)

A successful woodland species, but also farmland,towns and gardens.Eats seeds,leaves and other plant material.Nest is a bunch of flimsey twigs.

Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)

The Turtle Dove is classed as a Red list bird-High Consevation Concern.

This is a small dove that winters in central Africa. Feeds on the ground eating mainly plant material, especially seeds.

Swallows and Martins (Hirundinidae)

Swallows and Martins fly very fast, often near the ground, twisting and turning in the air as they chase insects. Unlike Swifts which cannot perch, flocks of Swallows and Martins often perch on telegraph wires, especially when they are about to migrate.

Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

The swallow has been classified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

This summer migrant arrives each spril from Africa.They are often seen perched on wires or swooping low over meadows,pastures and open water as they feed on flying insects. They avoid woodlands and towns. The saucer shaped mud nest is built under cover in a barn or simlar building.

Crows (Corvidae)

Crows are the largest perching birds and they are among the cleverest of all birds.

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)

Carrion Crows are less gregarious than Rooks, but flocks and communal roosts do occur.The Carrion Crow eats invertebrates,grain,small animals and carrion. The nest of sticks is built in a tree.

Rook (Corvus frugilegus)

Rooks build nests in colonies often called Rookeries which will hold tens, sometimes hundreds of nests which are normally built in the brances of tall trees. Rooks feed on invertibrates,grain and carrion.

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)

Small black crow, colonial,living on farmland with livestock,on cliffs,in woodland and in built up areas. Eats a variety of food, including invertibrates,fruits,grain and eggs. nests in holes in trees,cliffs and buildings.

Magpie (pica pica)

The Magpie likes the open countryside with trees, farmland with hedges, woodland fringes, scrub and increasingly parks and gardens. Eats a wide range of food including insects,seeds,berries and carrion as well as small birds and eggs. Builds a domed nest of sticks in a tree or tall bush.

Thrushes (Turdidae)

This large family contains several birds that are well-known garden visitors. They feed mainly on berries and other fruits and insects, but are often seen looking for worms.

Redwing (Turdus iliacus)

The Redwing has been classified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

This small thrush of northern woodlands migrates southwest in autumn. In winter it feeds on berries or searches for worms on areas of short grass.it is vulnerable to extreme cold and will move to find milder feeding conditions in cold weather. The nest is on the ground or in a bush.

Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)

The Fieldfare is a Amber list species-Medium consevation concern.

A large thrush of northan woodlands that moves south in winter,feeds on insects and fruits. Often seen in flocks with other thrushes such as Redwings.

Buntings (Emberizidae)

Buntings are small seed-eating birds like finches and have similar stout bills to crack open seeds. Buntings are most likely to be seen feeding on the ground in winter, often in groups.

Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)

The yellowhammer is classed as a Red list Species-High Conservation Concern.

Resedent in open countryside with bushes and scattered trees.They feed mainly on seeds but some insects are eaten in summer. The nest is on or close to the ground among vegetation.

Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirus)

The Cirl Bunting has been classified as a Red list species-High conservation concern.

A Bunting of small fields and tall hedges. Mostly resident, but forms small flocks in winter which often visit stubble fields. Eats seeds, but takes insects when nesting. The bulky nest is built low down in a shrub and hidden in dense vegetation.

Sparrows (Ploceidae)

No bird is better known than the House Sparrow which lives with man almost everywhere but the Tree Sparrow is less well known.

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

The Tree Sparrow is a Red List Species-High Conservation Concern.

Showing a recent decline in the British Isles. Feeds on insects and plant material.found in open deciduous woodland and farmland. Nests in holes in cliffs,trees and buildings.

Larks (Alaudidae)

These birds are most often seen in the air, singing strongly. They make there nest on the ground where, being dull-coloured are difficult to spot.

Skylark (Alauda arvensis)

The Skylark is classified as a Red List Species-High Conservation Concern.

The Skylarks song is typical of open countryside and farmland, as the bid hangs in the air, almost too high to see. It eats insects and seeds. The nest is on the ground.

Partridges and Pheasants (Phasianidae)

Unlike grouse, these birds have bare legs and are not found in cold places.

Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

This attractive bird has been introduced from Asia for hunting, it lives in countryside with woods and farms. pheasants eat a wide range of food including grain,worms,spiders and green shoots.

Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa)

This Partridge lives in open dry habitats and arable farmland, it has been successfully introduced into Britain. Feeds on seeds, leaves and insects.makes several nests and female uses one.

© Simon Thurgood 2010
Images on this website may not be put as any part of any collection without any prior written permission.