Swallow
Migration Pattern:
Arrive in the summer between late March & mid-May & return to Southern Africa in September & October.
What They Eat:
Flying Insects (Except Bees & Wasps).
Features:
Known for their longer outer tail feathers, streamlined body & short but wide bills.
Chaffinch
Migration Pattern:
Resident birds with migration occurring between September & March from Western Europe & Scandinavia.
What They Eat:
Insects, Seeds, Peanuts.
Features:
Both female & male have distinctive white markings on their wings & tail. Males tend to be more colourful with grey & reddish feathers, while the females have a duller brown / greenish plume.
Turtle Dove
Migration Pattern:
A visitor between April & May to Southern & Eastern England, returning to Africa in July.
What They Eat:
Seeds & Grains.
Features:
Smaller than other doves & brown in colour. Wedge shaped tail which is often dark with white tips.
House Martin
Migration Pattern:
Visiting in the summer from Africa, they typically stay from mid-April - October returning to their resident continent for the winter months.
What They Eat:
Insects (Mainly Flies).
Features:
Small bird with bluish black feathers, white underbelly & black chin. Most common features include their feathered feet & forked tail.
Greenfinch
Migration Pattern:
During winter, adults migrate from Scotland & Northern England down South, as far as Europe. European birds arrive in the autumn to the East coast.
What They Eat:
Mixed Seed, Peanuts, Sunflower Seeds & Hearts, Berries.
Features:
Males tend to be more bright green with yellow in the wings & tails, while the females have a duller grey & brown colour.
Robin
Migration Pattern:
Mainly residential however some adult Robins migrate in winter to Spain & Portugal.
What They Eat:
Sultanas, Oats, Suet Products, Mealworms & Seed Mixes.
Features:
The most widely recognised bird internationally, the bright red breast of the Robin is unmistakeable as both male & female birds have this feature. The small beak & plump body of this bird make it the nation's favourite.
Goldfinch
Migration Pattern:
Sporadic migration pattern unlike some other birds. Migrate to France & Spain as well as other South-Western European countries.
What They Eat:
Sunflower Seeds & Hearts, Niger Seeds, Thistles & Dandelions.
Features:
Very colourful bird with a red face, black, white & yellow wings. Their long, narrow beak helps them to gather food, especially from thistles & birdfeeders.
