Five other spring arrivals

AS THE WEATHER WARMS, WE WELCOME A FLOCK OF OTHER SPECIES TO OUR SHORES…

CUCKOO

(Cuculus canorus) THE SIZE OF A DOVE, WITH A SLEEK BODY, LONG TAIL AND LOW, FAST FLIGHT LIKE A SPARROWHAWK, THE CUCKOO CAN BE HEARD FROM APRIL TO JUNE THROUGHOUT THE UK, BUT IS INCREASINGLY SCARCE.

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER

(Muscicapa striata) THIS AGILE BIRD DARTS IN THE AIR TO SNATCH ITS PREY, GRIPPING MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES WITH THE BRISTLE-LIKE FEATHERS ON THE SIDES OF ITS BILL. SCARCE VISITOR FROM LATE APRIL.

NIGHTINGALE

(Luscinia megarhynchos) YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO HEAR THAN SEE THIS BIRD, AS IT HIDES IN THICKETS, TRILLING HIGH AND LOW, IN SOUTH-EAST ENGLAND.

WILLOW WARBLER

(Phylloscopus trochilus) DON’T CONFUSE THIS MELODIOUS BIRD WITH THE CHIFFCHAFF – A WILLOW WARBLER’S LEGS ARE PALE, A CHIFFCHAFF’S DARK GREY. FOUND IN WOODLANDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

TURTLE DOVE

(Streptopelia turtur) LISTEN OUT FOR THE ‘TURRR TURRR TURRR’ CALL, WHICH GIVES THIS BIRD ITS NAME, AT WOODLAND EDGES, IN HEDGEROWS OR ON OPEN LAND, ESPECIALLY IN SOUTH-EAST ENGLAND. NOW VERY RARE.