CANADA GOOSE

(BRANTA CANADENSIS)

Large and striking bird that was introduced to the UK from North America in the 17th century. Have black head, long neck, and brownish-grey body. The Canada goose is a familiar sight in parks, lakes, and other wetland habitats throughout the UK. These adaptable birds are known for their loud, honking calls and their V-shaped flight formation during migration. The Canada goose's success in adapting to new environments has made it a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the face of changing habitats and climates.

Mute swan

(Cygnus olor)

Majestic waterbird with a long and graceful neck and elegant white plumage that seems to shimmer in the sunlight. With its distinctive honking call and regal demeanor, the swan has long been a symbol of beauty, love, and purity in art and literature. Despite its serene appearance, the swan can also be fiercely protective of its territory and young, making it a powerful and formidable creature in the animal kingdom.

Grey heron

(Ardea cinerea)

Found in wetland habitats around the world, the grey heron is known for its patience and stealth as it waits motionless for prey to swim by, before swiftly striking with lightning-fast reflexes. Their diet includes fish, frogs, and other small aquatic creatures. The grey heron's graceful yet deadly hunting technique has made it a popular subject in art and literature, and a fascinating creature to observe in the wild.

Mallard

(Anas platyrhynchos)

Medium-sized ducks are found throughout much of the world, including the UK. These birds are known for their versatility and can thrive in a variety of habitats, including urban areas. Mallards are primarily herbivores, feeding on aquatic plants and grasses, but will also eat insects and other small prey. Male mallards, called drakes, are known for their striking courtship displays, which include head-bobbing, wing-flapping, and vocalizations.

Blackbird

(Turdus merula)

Common and widespread bird with a striking, all-black plumage, bright yellow eye-ring, and melodious singing voice. Found throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa, these adaptable birds are often seen in gardens, parks, and woodland habitats. Blackbirds are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of insects, earthworms, fruits, and seeds, and are known to be skilled foragers. Their beautiful, fluty singing voice has made them a beloved bird among humans, and they are often featured in folklore, poetry, and music.

Pied wagtail

(Motacilla alba)

Are often seen foraging for insects and other small prey in open areas such as fields, riverbanks, and car parks. They are known for their lively and energetic movements, which include quick darts and twists, and their melodic and cheerful singing voice. The pied wagtail's ability to thrive in urban areas has made it a beloved bird among city-dwellers, and it is often used as a symbol of urban wildlife conservation.

Magpie

(Pica pica)

With its black and white plumage and long tail, the magpie is easily recognizable and often considered a symbol of good luck in British folklore. Their intelligence and complex social behavior made them a subject of scientific research, with studies showing that they are capable of problem-solving and even recognizing themselves in mirrors.



Robin

(Erithacus rubecula)

Small and iconic bird with a distinctive red breast, brown back, and bright black eyes. Robins are often seen in gardens, parks, and woodlands, where they forage insects, earthworms, and berries. Their beautiful singing voice and friendly, inquisitive nature have made them a beloved bird among humans, and they are often associated with the holiday season and the arrival of spring.

Carrion crow

(Corvus corone)

They are omnivorous, feeding on a range of prey, from insects and small mammals to carrion and even rubbish. Despite their association with death and decay, carrion crows play an important ecological role by helping to clean up carrion and other organic waste. In addition to their ecological significance, carrion crows have been the subject of much folklore and mythology, with many cultures associating them with death, magic, and the spirit world.

Eurasian coot

(Fulica atra)

Are known for their aggressive and territorial behavior, particularly during breeding season when they will fiercely defend their nests against intruders. Eurasian coots are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of aquatic plants, insects, and small fish. They are also strong swimmers and divers, using their wings and feet to propel themselves through the water.

Moorhen

(Gallinula chloropus)

They can be difficult to spot among dense vegetation, where they often forage for aquatic plants, seeds, and insects. Moorhens are also strong swimmers and divers, using their wings and feet to propel themselves through the water. They are typically solitary or found in pairs, although they may form loose flocks during the winter months. Despite their unassuming appearance, moorhens play an important role in aquatic ecosystems, helping to control populations of aquatic plants and insects.

Black-headed gull

(Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Despite its name, adult black-headed gulls actually have a brownish-gray hood during the non-breeding season, which changes to a dark chocolate brown during the breeding season. These agile birds are often seen hovering over bodies of water, where they forage for small fish, insects, and other prey. Black-headed gulls are social birds, forming large breeding colonies on rooftops, cliffs, and other elevated sites.