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NatureScot is encouraging folks to get out into nature over the following month or so to try to spot 10 sorts of winter chicken.
Scotland is home to greater than 550 species of birds. During the winter, populations swell with the return of hundreds of migratory guests that spend their summers elsewhere.
From skies filled with geese honking their arrival from Svalbard and Iceland to the chatter of thrushes from continental Europe, winter brings a number of chicken species to admire.
All these species migrate to Scotland for a similar purpose. Wherever they originate from, the situations on their breeding grounds normally grow to be unsuitable throughout winter. For instance, the climate could also be too harsh with very low temperatures and frequent snow, or it might merely grow to be tougher to search out meals.
Scotland, blessed as it’s with a comparatively delicate, maritime local weather, has a number of winter habitats that supply considerable meals.
It’s not simply the migrant birds which are value searching for presently of yr, however a few of our residents are additionally nonetheless lively too.
Here are simply a few of Scotland’s winter birds and the place and when you’ll be able to spot them. NatureScot has ranked these when it comes to problem, from the best – 1 – to the toughest to identify – 10.
Robin – an iconic and much-loved winter chicken, you can see them in your again backyard or native park all yr spherical. You might even see rivals chasing one another around the backyard or hear males singing to proclaim their patch.
Blue tit – additionally in your backyard or park all yr spherical, however particularly in case you present peanuts through the winter.
Blackbird – might be seen all yr in gardens, parks and wherever with shrubby cowl. They particularly like berries and different fruits in winter, so put out that apple that’s been within the fruit bowl a bit too lengthy.
Fieldfare – this noisy brown-and-grey thrush is normally seen in massive flocks, congregating in fields and timber or shrubs with considerable berries. A winter customer.
Redwing – typically seen with fieldfares, so in case you see a flock of thrushes, have a detailed look and test which species are current.
Pink-footed goose – a largely brown goose with pink ft and a attribute ‘honking’ name, this species is a winter customer and might be seen primarily around the jap coast of Scotland though the birds will spend lots of time feeding inland in agricultural habitats. Look out for big flocks flying overhead early and late within the day as they transfer to and from foraging websites.
Redshank – though a resident breeder in Scotland, this species is considered one of a number of waders whose numbers improve over winter as birds from elsewhere come over. You could also be fortunate sufficient to see this secretive chicken through the breeding season however they wish to nest in tussocky, moist grassland and aren’t straightforward to identify. However, in winter they are often discovered on uncovered mud alongside the shoreline round most of Scotland.
Whooper swan – not like our resident mute swan, whoopers are solely current in winter when you’ll be able to see them on inland waters and close by agricultural land the place they feed.
Grey partridge – a scarce however widespread chicken of the open countryside, they’re arduous to identify when breeding as a result of they keep almost solely in cowl however in winter, when there may be much less cowl round, you might even see the coveys, generally of round 20 birds in case you are fortunate, feeding in stubble fields. And no, they don’t notably like pear timber!
Waxwing – some of the stunning birds you’ll encounter in Scotland, this uncommon customer is most frequently present in jap Scotland in comparatively small numbers, although sometimes extra can arrive if they’re pushed right here by sturdy easterly winds and poor situations on the continent. Fortunately, their love of berries means they’ll typically be seen in parks and gardens.
