It takes a pair of Swallows up to 1,200 journeys to build a nest.

Swallows belong to the family Hirundininae which also includes martins. There are 84 recognised species worldwide. They are not even distantly related to swifts. Our familiar swallow, Hirundo rustica, is generally known as the barn swallow. It breeds throughout the Northern Hemisphere including every European country except Iceland. The barn swallow is the world’s most widespread...

Sedge Warbler (UK)

Sedge warblers have an olive-brown mantle and scapulars with dark brown streaks, and a cinnamon rump. On the upperwing the flight feathers are brown with pale buff edges, and the wing coverts are black with paler edges. The rounded tail is dark brown. The belly is white, the flanks are pale rust and the rest of the underparts are cream or pale buff. ‘Sedge Warbler (UK)’...

A Bird’s Eye View on the Queen’s Reign

Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee is a celebration of truly historic occasion. This is the first time a British Monarch has reigned for 70 years. The Queen is the RSPB’s Patron and much has changed for our wildlife since she took to the throne in 1952. For one the RSPB reports that the skies are a lot quieter. The latest State of the UK’s Birds report says we have 38 million...

Eurasian Jay (UK)

Although the Eurasian Jay is the most colourful member of the crow family, jays are actually quite difficult to see. They are shy woodland birds, rarely moving far from cover. The screaming call usually lets you know a jay is nearby and it is usually given when a bird is on the move, so watch for a bird flying between the trees with its distinctive flash of white on the rump. Jays are...