The Metropolis

Some cracking birds around here mate

Mike Pollitt | Wednesday 2 November, 2011 16:09

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Anyone who doesn’t find birds wonderful and amazing is an embittered fool who’s probably just jealous of them being able to fly. It’s the migration season, so there’s lots of movement going on. Here are some recent arrivals to our city, please make them welcome.

Woodcock in Regent’s Park
Woodcock earthworm
Unusual becuase they have weird big eyes, and because when threatened, a female woodcock can fly into the air carrying her chicks on her back. Unfortunately, because they are tasty and they’re feathers make good paintbrushes, they get threatened quite a lot.

Crossbill in Regent’s Park
Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) - geograph.org.uk - 419190
Ridiculous bird.

Snipe at Crossness
Common snipe fencepost
Obviously.

Bittern at London Wetland Centre
Botaurus stellaris (Marek Szczepanek)
Go to London Wetland Centre. It’s ace.

Fieldfare on Hampstead Heath
A Fieldfare feeding on apple - geograph.org.uk - 1154444
The first part of this bird’s Latin name is Turdus, which some of you will no doubt find highly amusing.

Photos: Wikipedia
Sightings: London Bird Club

Filed in:

Snipe Highlights

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