29-9-2016 LAKELANDS, ESSEX - EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)

The Eurasian coot is 36–38 cm (14–15 in) in length with a wing-span of 70–80 cm (28–31 in); males weigh around 890 g (31 oz) and females 750 g (26 oz). It is largely black except for the white bill and frontal shield (which gives rise to the phrase "as bald as a coot", in use as early as 1430). As a swimming species, the coot has partial webbing on its long strong toes. The sexes are similar in appearance.

The juvenile is paler than the adult, has a whitish breast, and lacks the facial shield; the adult black plumage develops when about 3–4 months old, but the white shield is only fully developed at about one year old.

The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), also known as the Common coot, or Australian coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. It is found in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of North Africa. Similar-looking coot species are found throughout the world, with the largest variety of coot species living in South America.

Population size

7.9-9.75 Mlnlnn

Life Span

9-15 years

Weight

750-890

goz

g oz 

Length

36-38

cminch

cm inch 

Wingspan

70-80

cminch

cm inch 

Eurasian coots breed in Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. They have recently expanded their range into New Zealand. These birds are residents in the milder parts of their range only performing nomadic movements; however, populations from much of Asia migrate further south and west in winter as the waters freeze. Eurasian coots inhabit freshwater lakes, ponds, pools, creeks, rivers and river deltas, marshes, freshwater meadows, flooded grasslands, and freshwater, and saline lagoons.

Eurasian coots are much less secretive than most of the rail family, and frequently swim on open water or walk across waterside grasslands. They are quite aggressive birds, and strongly territorial during the breeding season, and both parents defend their nesting site. During the non-breeding season, they may form large flocks, possibly related to predator avoidance. Eurasian coots are reluctant to fly and when taking off run across the water surface with much splashing. They do the same, but without actually flying, when traveling a short distance at speed in territorial disputes or on land to escape from intruders. As with many rails, their weak flight does not inspire confidence, but on migration, usually at night, they can cover surprisingly large distances. When swimming they bob their heads, and make short dives from a little jump. When fighting other waterbirds (especially other coots), Eurasian coots attack by charging their opponent and striking them with their long legs. When feeding, these birds graze on land or in the water. In the water, they may upend in the fashion of a mallard or dive in search of food. Eurasian coots are noisy and have a wide repertoire of crackling, explosive, or trumpeting calls, often given at night.

29-9-2016 LAKELANDS, ESSEX - CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis)

The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a large wild goose native to the arctic and temperate regions of North America. Like most geese, the Canada goose is primarily herbivorous and normally migratory; often found on or close to fresh water. These birds are extremely adept at living in human-altered areas and have established breeding colonies in urban and cultivated habitats, which provide food and few natural predators. The success of this common park species has led to its often being considered a pest species because of its excrement, its depredation of crops, its noise, its aggressive territorial behavior toward both humans and other animals, and its habit of stalking and begging for food, the latter a result of humans disobeying artificial feeding policies toward wild animals.

Population size

5-6.2 Mlnlnn

Life Span

12-26 years

Top speed

90

km/hmph

km/h mph 

Weight

2.4-6.5

kglbs

kg lbs 

Length

75-110

cminch

cm inch 

Wingspan

127-185

cminch

cm inch 

Canada geese have a white mark on their beak, near their chin. Another distinctive feature of these birds is a white U-like band on their rump. The male of a breeding pair is usually bigger. The feet, legs, and beak of Canada geese are black. They have a blackish-brown tail and blackish rump. The back and scapulars are darker brown. The breast, abdomen, and flanks vary from light gray to dark chocolate brown in color, either being mixed with a black neck or separated from it by a white ring.

The Canada goose is a native North American species, being also introduced to the UK, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands. These animals can be found at different elevations from alpine to coastal regions. The habitat of Canada geese is open areas with short grass. As a general rule, these animals avoid areas with obstructions such as tall grass, to be able to watch for predators. They live near water bodies such as coastlines, rivers, marshes, or ponds. They can also be frequently found in agricultural or urban areas. They breed in Canada and the northern United States while their migration reaches as far as northern Europe.

They are diurnal, being active during the day. The geese spend a lot of time grazing and foraging. Canada geese forage for food on land as well as in the water. The geese are very social animals, forming large nesting colonies meanwhile making the nests at a certain distance from each other. Pair of nesting geese can either choose to live solitary or to use the same breeding area as other pairs do. During the breeding season, Canada geese form long-term pairs. During this period, males aggressively defend the nesting site and the goslings, not allowing humans and other animals to approach it. In the autumn, these birds congregate into large flocks, consisting of family groups, to migrate southward to their wintering grounds

Canada geese are monogamous, mating once in a lifetime, usually during the second year of their lives. Normally, the breeding season takes place in April-May, sometimes extending into June in areas with a colder climate. When the nesting site is chosen, the female builds the nest and lays 4-7 eggs whereas the male stands guard. Then the female incubates the eggs for about 28 days. As soon as hatched out, the chicks are able to feed, walk, swim and dive. They leave the nest in 1-2 days but stay with their parents for the first year of their lives. The parents help the young to find food, leading the chicks to feeding areas. Depending on the subspecies, chicks of Canada goose are able to fly within 7-9 weeks after hatching out.

29-9-2016 MALDON, ESSEX - TUFTED DUCK (FEMALE) (Aythya fuligula)

The Tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) is a small diving duck found in northern Eurasia. Its scientific name comes from Ancient Greek word aithuia, an unidentified seabird mentioned by authors including Hesychius and Aristotle, and Latin words fuligo "soot" and gula "throat".

Adult males of this species are all black in color except for white flanks and a blue-grey bill with gold-yellow eyes, along with a thin crest on the back of their heads. They have an obvious head tuft that gives these birds their name. Adult females are brown with paler flanks and are more easily confused with other diving ducks. In flight Tufted ducks show a white stripe across the back of the wing.

Tufted ducks breed throughout temperate and northern Eurasia. They occasionally can be found as a winter visitor along both coasts of the United States and Canada. These ducks are migratory in most of their range and overwinter in the milder south and west of Europe, Africa, Middle-East, Southern Asia and all year in most of the United Kingdom. Tufted ducks breed close to marshes and lakes with plenty of vegetation to conceal the nest. They are also found on coastal lagoons, shorelines, estuaries, sheltered ponds, slow-flowing rivers, tidal bays or freshwater wetlands.

Tufted ducks are social birds and often form large flocks on open water in winter. They are highly aquatic and spend most of their life in the water. These birds feed mainly by diving, but they will sometimes upend from the surface. They are generally active during the day but migrate by night. Tufted ducks communicate with each other vocally. The females' call is a harsh, growling "karr", mostly given in flight. The males are mostly silent but they make whistles during courtship based on a simple "wit-oo".

Tufted ducks are serially monogamous; pairs form during migration and stay together for one breeding season. The breeding season occurs from May to early August. Tufted ducks nest singly or in loose groups usually near water and among dense vegetation. Females build the nest on the ground and line it with down and vegetation. They then lay 8 to 10 olive-grey eggs and incubate them alone around 26-28 days. During this time males leave to form moulting flocks. Ducklings hatch fully developed and are able to follow their mother to learn how to feed soon after hatching. They fledge 49 to 56 days after hatching and become independent after another 21 to 56 days. Young Tufted ducks reach reproductive maturity and able to breed for the first time when they are 1 year old.

The biggest threat to Tufted ducks is habitat loss due to the destruction of wetlands for human development, drainage, pollution and oil spills. They also suffer from disturbance on inland water bodies and noises from urban development, hunting, and predation.Tufted ducks feed on many aquatic invertebrates, thus controlling their populations. In turn, these birds serve an important food source for local predators.

30-9-2016 MALDON, ESSEX - TUFTED DUCK (MALE) (Aythya fuligula)

The Tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) is a small diving duck found in northern Eurasia. Its scientific name comes from Ancient Greek word aithuia, an unidentified seabird mentioned by authors including Hesychius and Aristotle, and Latin words fuligo "soot" and gula "throat".

Adult males of this species are all black in color except for white flanks and a blue-grey bill with gold-yellow eyes, along with a thin crest on the back of their heads. They have an obvious head tuft that gives these birds their name. Adult females are brown with paler flanks and are more easily confused with other diving ducks. In flight Tufted ducks show a white stripe across the back of the wing.

Population size

2,6-2,9 Mlnlnn

Life Span

4 years

Weight

560-1000

goz

g oz 

Length

40-47

cminch

cm inch 

Wingspan

65-72

cminch

cm inch 

Tufted ducks breed throughout temperate and northern Eurasia. They occasionally can be found as a winter visitor along both coasts of the United States and Canada. These ducks are migratory in most of their range and overwinter in the milder south and west of Europe, Africa, Middle-East, Southern Asia and all year in most of the United Kingdom. Tufted ducks breed close to marshes and lakes with plenty of vegetation to conceal the nest. They are also found on coastal lagoons, shorelines, estuaries, sheltered ponds, slow-flowing rivers, tidal bays or freshwater wetlands.

Tufted ducks are social birds and often form large flocks on open water in winter. They are highly aquatic and spend most of their life in the water. These birds feed mainly by diving, but they will sometimes upend from the surface. They are generally active during the day but migrate by night. Tufted ducks communicate with each other vocally. The females' call is a harsh, growling "karr", mostly given in flight. The males are mostly silent but they make whistles during courtship based on a simple "wit-oo".

29-9-2016 NORTHWOOD PARK, BASILDON - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)

The European robin (Erithacus rubecula), known simply as the robin or robin redbreast in Great Britain and Ireland, is a small insectivorous passerine bird that belongs to the chat subfamily of the Old World flycatcher family. It is found across Europe, east to Western Siberia and south to North Africa; it is sedentary in most of its range except the far north.

It is about 12.5–14.0 cm (4.9–5.5 in) in length; the male and female are similar in colouration, with an orange breast and face lined with grey, brown upper-parts and a whitish belly.

The robin occurs in Eurasia east to Western Siberia, south to Algeria and on the Atlantic islands as far west as the Central Group of the Azores and Madeira. It is a vagrant in Iceland. In the southeast, it reaches Iran the Caucasus range. Irish and British robins are largely resident but a small minority, usually female, migrate to southern Europe during winter, a few as far as Spain. Scandinavian and Russian robins migrate to Britain and western Europe to escape the harsher winters. These migrants can be recognised by the greyer tone of the upper parts of their bodies and duller orange breast. The continental European robins that migrate during winter prefer spruce woods in northern Europe, contrasting with its preference for parks and gardens in Great Britain.

In southern Iberia, habitat segregation of resident and migrant robins occurs, with resident robins remaining in the same woodlands where they bred.

In the 15th century, when it became popular to give human names to familiar species, the bird came to be known as robin redbreast, which was eventually shortened to robin. As a given name, Robin is originally a smaller form of the name Robert. The term robin is also applied to some birds in other families with red or orange breasts. These include the American robin (Turdus migratorius, a thrush) and the Australasian robins of the family Petroicidae, the relationships of which are unclear.

Other older English names for the bird include ruddock and robinet. In American literature of the late 19th century, this robin was frequently called the English robin.

Attempts to introduce the European robin into Australia and New Zealand in the latter part of the 19th century were unsuccessful. Birds were released around Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin by various local acclimatisation societies, with none becoming established. There was a similar outcome in North America, as birds failed to become established after being released in Long Island, New York in 1852, Oregon in 1889–1892, and the Saanich Peninsula in British Columbia in 1908–1910.

1-10-2016 CHELMSFORD, ESSEX - SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos)

The song thrush (Turdus philomelos) is a thrush that breeds across the West Palearctic. It has brown upper-parts and black-spotted cream or buff underparts and has three recognised subspecies. Its distinctive song, which has repeated musical phrases, has frequently been referred to in poetry.

The song thrush breeds in forests, gardens and parks, and is partially migratory with many birds wintering in southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East; it has also been introduced into New Zealand and Australia. Although it is not threatened globally, there have been serious population declines in parts of Europe, possibly due to changes in farming practices.

The song thrush builds a neat mud-lined cup nest in a bush or tree and lays four to five dark-spotted blue eggs. It is omnivorous and has the habit of using a favourite stone as an "anvil" on which to break open the shells of snails. Like other perching birds (passerines), it is affected by external and internal parasites and is vulnerable to predation by cats and birds of prey.

The song thrush breeds in most of Europe (although not in the greater part of Iberia, lowland Italy or southern Greece), and across Ukraine and Russia almost to Lake Baikal. It reaches to 75°N in Norway, but only to about 60°N in Siberia. Birds from Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Russia winter around the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East, but only some of the birds in the milder west of the breeding range leave their breeding areas.

In Great Britain song thrushes are commonly found where there are trees and bushes. Such areas include parks, gardens, coniferous and deciduous woodland and hedgerows.

Birds of the nominate subspecies were introduced to New Zealand and Australia by acclimatisation societies between 1860 and 1880, apparently for purely sentimental reasons. In New Zealand, where it was introduced on both the main islands, the song thrush quickly established itself and spread to surrounding islands such as the Kermadecs, Chatham and Auckland Islands. Although it is common and widespread in New Zealand, in Australia only a small population survives around Melbourne. In New Zealand, there appears to be a limited detrimental effect on some invertebrates due to predation by introduced bird species, and the song thrush also damages commercial fruit crops in that country. As an introduced species it has no legal protection in New Zealand, and can be killed at any time.

The song thrush is not usually gregarious, although several birds may roost together in winter or be loosely associated in suitable feeding habitats, perhaps with other thrushes such as the blackbird, fieldfare, redwing and dark-throated thrush. Unlike the more nomadic fieldfare and redwing, the song thrush tends to return regularly to the same wintering areas.

This is a monogamous territorial species, and in areas where it is fully migratory, the male re-establishes its breeding territory and starts singing as soon as he returns. In the milder areas where some birds stay year round, the resident male remains in his breeding territory, singing intermittently, but the female may establish a separate individual wintering range until pair formation begins in the early spring.

During migration, the song thrush travels mainly at night with a strong and direct flight action. It flies in loose flocks which cross the sea on a broad front rather than concentrating at short crossings (as occurs in the migration of large soaring birds), and calls frequently to maintain contact. Migration may start as early as late August in the most easterly and northerly parts of the range, but the majority of birds, with shorter distances to cover, head south from September to mid-December. However, hard weather may force further movement. Return migration varies between mid-February around the Mediterranean to May in northern Sweden and central Siberia. Vagrants have been recorded in Greenland, various Atlantic islands, and West Africa.

1-10-2016 CHELMSFORD, ESSEX - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)

The European robin (Erithacus rubecula) is a small insectivorous passerine bird. The term robin is also applied to some birds in other families with red or orange breasts. These include the American robin (Turdus migratorius ), a thrush, and the Australasian robins of the family Petroicidae.

The male and female European robins are similar in coloration, with an orange breast and face lined with grey, brown upperparts, and a whitish belly. The bill and eyes are black. Juveniles are spotted brown and white in coloration, with patches of orange gradually appearing.

European robins occur in Eurasia east to Western Siberia, south to Algeria, and on the Atlantic islands as far west as the Central Group of the Azores and Madeira. Irish and British robins are largely resident but a small minority, usually female, migrate to southern Europe during winter, a few as far as Spain. Scandinavian and Russian robins migrate to Britain and western Europe to escape the harsher winters. European robins prefer spruce woods in northern Europe, contrasting with their preference for parks and gardens in Ireland and Great Britain. These may also be found in grasslands, shrubby vegetation, hedgerows with some tall trees, orchards, and farmlands.

European robins are active during the day, however, they may also hunt insects on moonlit nights or near artificial light at night. These are generally solitary and territorial birds, and males are noted for their highly aggressive territorial behavior. They will fiercely attack other males and competitors that stray into their territories and may even attack other small birds without apparent provocation. European robins communicate using a variety of calls, including a ticking note that usually indicates anxiety or mild alarm. During the breeding season, robins produce a fluting, warbling song. Both the male and female sing during the winter, when they hold separate territories; the song then sounds more plaintive than the summer version. The female typically moves a short distance from the summer nesting territory to a nearby area that is more suitable for winter feeding. The male keeps the same territory throughout the year. During the breeding season, males usually initiate their morning song an hour before civil sunrise and usually terminate their daily singing around thirty minutes after sunset. They may also sing at night, especially in urban areas that are artificially lit during the night.

1-10-2016 CHELMSFORD, ESSEX - EURASIAN WREN (Troglodytes troglodytes)

The Eurasian wren is a plump, sturdy bird with rounded wings and a short tail, which is usually held cocked up. The adult bird is 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) in length and has a wingspan of 13–17 cm (5.1–6.7 in).[18] It weighs around 10 g (0.35 oz). It is rufous brown above, greyer beneath, and indistinctly barred with darker brown and grey, even on the wings and tail. The bill is dark brown and the legs are pale brown, the feet having strong claws and a large hind toe. Young birds are less distinctly barred and have mottled underparts. The plumage is subject to considerable variation, and where populations have been isolated, the variation has become fixed in one minor form or another.

20-9-2014 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EGYPTIAN LOCUST (Anacridium aegyptium)