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1 |
Swifts and House Martins sleep on the
wing. One side of their brain shuts down
and rests, while the other stays alert.
This then alternates. Shortly before
dusk birds gather and fly high up in the
air to roost in a warmer air layers
approx 1000-2000 metres above ground |
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2 |
Robins first appeared on Christmas cards
as a representation of Victorian
postmen, who wore red tunics and were
known as ‘Redbreasts’ |
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3 |
The usual flying speed of a Sparrow Hawk
is 20-25 mph, but it's capable of up to
32 mph in short bursts |
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4 |
The long-tailed Tit makes a tennis-ball
sized nest out of moss and spiders’
webs. As the chicks grow, the nest
expands around them |
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5 |
Starlings are outstanding mimics and
incorporate accurate copies of sounds of
other birds, frogs and mammals, and even
of mechanical sounds into their song |
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6 |
Starlings - You can tell the sexes apart
by the colour of the base of the beak :
- blue for males ~ pink for females
(appropriate colouring)! |
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7 |
Robins and Wrens share a reputation for
nesting in strange places – sheds,
greenhouses, hanging baskets – even a
pocket in washing if left on the washing
line long enough! |
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8 |
Great Spotted Woodpeckers make their
distinctive knocking sound by striking a
branch with their beaks
40 times a second! |
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9 |
Woodpeckers have long been associated
with water and it was often believed
that a Woodpecker drumming signified
rain. |
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10 |
Goldfinches are the "home decorators" of
the bird world. Sometimes they decorate
the outside of their nests with aromatic
flowers |
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11 |
Dunnocks are often chosen as hosts by
cuckoos and the ‘step-parent’ may even
have to stand on the back of its
‘offspring’ to feed it becos of the
difference in size! |
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12 |
If a long-tailed Tit pair’s breeding
attempt fails, the couple will split up
and return to the nest of a sibling to
help raise their chicks |
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13 |
Swallows are considered to be a sign of
good luck. Traditionally a farmer never
destroyed a swallows nest in fear of
encouraging Bad Luck. |
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14 |
Migrating swallows cover 200 miles a
day, mainly during daylight, at speeds
of 17-22mph |
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15 |
House Martins (and Ospreys) fly all the
way to tropical Africa for the winter,
yet find their way back to exactly the
same nest the following spring |
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16 |
If you see a Jay in your garden, there’s
likely to be at least one Oak tree
nearby. Jays love acorns and often bury
stores of them for winter, accidentally
creating new oak trees if they
germinate. |
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17 |
The Goldcrest has to eat its own weight
in food each day to survive the cold
winter nights! |
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18 |
Collared Doves aren’t great nest-makers
– sometimes their chicks fall through
the flimsy branches |
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19 |
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20 |
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21 |
A Blue Tit weighs the same as a pound
coin |
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