Bird Identification

Can’t work out what that bird is?  Scroll through and have a look at some of our photos to see if it helps.  If you are still unsure or just want some help with the survey, please contact the group on Facebook, or ask one of the Survey Buddies.
Click on the image to bring up a bigger picture and some notes about the bird.  As the seasons change, we’ll be adding more birds to this list so do come back again!
House Sparrows, Dunnocks and Reed Buntings
Although from different families, these can look similar if you don’t always get a good view of them. Sparrows and Dunnocks are very common visitors all year whereas the Reed Bunting is an unusual winter visitor to a few gardens that border open countryside
Tits
There are 4 types of tits that are regularly reported in gardens, with Blue and Great Tits being the most common, all these species can be seen all year
Thrushes
We have 2 regular resident species of thrush that can be seen in gardens, Blackbird and Song Thrush while in winter they can sometimes be visited by ‘invaders’ from the north, Fieldfare and Redwing. Very occasionally, if your garden borders fields or open countryside, a Mistle Thrush might put in an appearance. All are a similar size and like to feed on the ground, but in winter thrive on berries in our gardens.
Finches
A colourful group of small birds, most of which regularly visit garden feeders, particularly in winter. If you get a good view you can usually identify them though some of the females can look similar to each other. 
Pigeons and Doves
There are three very familiar visitors to gardens, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and Feral Pigeon, all distinctive as the pictures show.
Woodpeckers
There are 2 Woodpeckers that might visit your garden, both very striking and both very different from each other.
Crows
 Four species of crows are regular garden visitors throughout the year, but it has to be said that they are not always universally popular!
Gulls
 Some species of gulls are just as much at home inland as they are on the coast, so throughout the year gulls may be seen around the village and in some gardens. The two species you are most likely to see are Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull; the Herring Gull being perhaps the more familiar.
Raptors
 Or perhaps better known as birds of prey, all eat other creatures to survive, be it birds, mammals or insects, there is no such thing as a vegetarian raptor! Sparrowhawk is the species you are most likely to see in your garden but there are other species that occasionally turn up, particularly if you have a larger garden with trees or one surrounded by open fields and woodland.
Wagtails
 
Winter Wildfowl
During the winter when the Henfield Levels are in flood, many ducks and geese take advantage of the opportunity of a new habitat suddenly available to them. Many of the ducks migrate down from the north of England and Northern Europe to spend the winter months with us. Here are some of the species to look out for as you view across the flooded fields. The photographs show males as females of most of the duck species all look very similar!
Other birds often visiting gardens

Unless stated otherwise, all pictures are copyright to Paula Blake and must not be reproduced without her permission – contact thebirdtable@btinternet.com