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DARD / RSPB Farmland Birds

• Barnowl (PDF 232 KB)
  The barnowl is generally only seen at duck or at night when it can appear to be almost white.  Its call is a long, eerie shriek.
• Curlew (PDF 239 KB)
  A large brown wader with long legs and a down-curved bill.  The bubbling song and haunting cry are characteristic of many uplands and wet pastures.
• Lapwing (PDF 179 KB)
  The lapwing is a distinctive, black-and-white wading bird with a wispy crest.  In spring lapwings have a tumbling display flight and distinctive ‘pee-wit’ call.
• Linnet (PDF 173 KB)
  This small finch is often seen in flocks.  In the breeding season, the male has red on the forehead and breast.
• Redgrouse (PDF 198 KB)
  The red grouse is a plump bird, rich brown in colour.  When disturbed, grouse explode from the ground, making a whirring noise and glide away with bowed wings.
• Redshank (PDF 252 KB)
  The redshank has a red bill and red legs and show white on its wings and tail in flight.   It is often seen perched on fence posts during breeding season.
• Reed Bunting (PDF 149 KB)
  The male reed bunting has a distinctive black and white head pattern.  The female has a brown head with bold streaks over the eye and down the throat.
• Rush Management (PDF 267 KB)
  Damp pasture with scattered rush tussocks can provide ideal habitat, but too much cover can be detrimental.
• Skylark (PDF 168 KB)
  This brown farmland bird has a distinct crest.  It is best known for its loud, continuous warbling song high in the air.
• Snipe (PDF 221 KB)
  The snipe is a small wading bird with a very long, straight bill.  In spring the male makes a drumming noise with its tail feathers in flight.
• Swallow (PDF 136 KB)
  The swallow is a familiar summer visitor, characterised by its long tail streamers.
• Tree Sparrow (PDF 160 KB)
  This scare relative of the house sparrow is best distinguished by its shestnut crown and black cheek patch.
• Yellowhammer (PDF 222 KB)
  The male has a distinctive song, said to sound like ‘a little bit of bread and no cheese’.