If so, we would like hear from you! In the case of 3 of them, their numbers have declined drastically over the last 25 years. However, Firecrest numbers are increasing. The ones we are losing…..
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Marsh Tit
Turtle Dove
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Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
These birds were regularly seen in the parish 25 to 30 years ago but are now very scarce. It is possible that they may be seen in the parish and could even be occasional visitors to gardens. Great Spotted Woodpeckers are now common garden visitors, with striking black and white plumage, about the size of a Blackbird, whereas, the Lesser Spotted, while having similar colouring, is about half the size, not much bigger than a Sparrow. They have a red crown as well, which distinguishes them from their larger cousin.
Photo copyright Derek Middleton @ Sussex Wildlife Trust.
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Marsh Tit
Marsh Tit
This lovely little bird is yet another woodland species that has decreased alarmingly over the last 20 years and is now not even recorded on a regular basis at Woods Mill where it was once a resident breeding bird. However, it is possible that it might still turn up in some gardens, particularly those that adjoin woodland or where there are good stands of trees.
It is easily confused with the Coal Tit, being similar in colour but less marked and lacking the white stripes on the wing and the head. It is also slightly bigger, about the size of a Blue Tit.
Photo copyright Derek Middleton @ Sussex Wildlife Trust.
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Turtle Dove
Turtle Dove
The Turtle Dove population is believed to have declined more than any other species in the UK, over 90% in the last 40 years. The Adur Valley still has a few regular breeding pairs, mainly around the Woods Mill area, but over the last couple of years a few have turned up in gardens in the Village. A bit like a Collared Dove but much more colourful and you might hear its beautiful ‘purring’ call before you see it.
Photo copyright Paula Blake
One which we might be gaining…..
Firecrest
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Firecrest
Firecrest
Very similar to a Goldcrest, this tiny bird is spreading into the UK from the Continent and a few have already been seen in gardens around the parish. You need to get a reasonable view of it to separate it from a Goldcrest, but if you do, you will see that the Firecrest is more colourful, being a brighter green. However, the most striking feature is the black and white striping on the head. Firecrests have the ‘fiery’ crest but some Goldcrest males may also have this feature. In the case of Goldcrests, it is more commonly a yellow colour.
Photo copyright Paula Blake
The ones we are losing…..
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Marsh Tit
Turtle Dove
-
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
These birds were regularly seen in the parish 25 to 30 years ago but are now very scarce. It is possible that they may be seen in the parish and could even be occasional visitors to gardens. Great Spotted Woodpeckers are now common garden visitors, with striking black and white plumage, about the size of a Blackbird, whereas, the Lesser Spotted, while having similar colouring, is about half the size, not much bigger than a Sparrow. They have a red crown as well, which distinguishes them from their larger cousin. Photo copyright Derek Middleton @ Sussex Wildlife Trust. -
Marsh Tit
Marsh Tit
This lovely little bird is yet another woodland species that has decreased alarmingly over the last 20 years and is now not even recorded on a regular basis at Woods Mill where it was once a resident breeding bird. However, it is possible that it might still turn up in some gardens, particularly those that adjoin woodland or where there are good stands of trees. It is easily confused with the Coal Tit, being similar in colour but less marked and lacking the white stripes on the wing and the head. It is also slightly bigger, about the size of a Blue Tit. Photo copyright Derek Middleton @ Sussex Wildlife Trust. -
Turtle Dove
Turtle Dove
The Turtle Dove population is believed to have declined more than any other species in the UK, over 90% in the last 40 years. The Adur Valley still has a few regular breeding pairs, mainly around the Woods Mill area, but over the last couple of years a few have turned up in gardens in the Village. A bit like a Collared Dove but much more colourful and you might hear its beautiful ‘purring’ call before you see it. Photo copyright Paula Blake
One which we might be gaining…..
Firecrest
-
Firecrest
Firecrest
Very similar to a Goldcrest, this tiny bird is spreading into the UK from the Continent and a few have already been seen in gardens around the parish. You need to get a reasonable view of it to separate it from a Goldcrest, but if you do, you will see that the Firecrest is more colourful, being a brighter green. However, the most striking feature is the black and white striping on the head. Firecrests have the ‘fiery’ crest but some Goldcrest males may also have this feature. In the case of Goldcrests, it is more commonly a yellow colour. Photo copyright Paula Blake