Birdlife on the Reserve
Birdlife on Hobbs Reserve
Birds that are regularly seen on the reserve include the Long Tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Nuthatch, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Jay and Song Thrush. The reserve has a number of resident birds as well as species that arrive in the summer to nest with others that migrate from northern Europe to spend the winter in Britain.
One of the first summer visitors to the reserve is the Chiff Chaff that can be heard singing its distinctive call from March through the summer. Blackcaps are another summer visitor.
In recent years, the Spotted Flycatcher, a visitor from southern Africa has been declining in numbers but there are records of this bird being seen on the reserve. It has a distinctive feeding technique where it sits on an exposed branch waiting for insects to come past and then darts out acrobatically and catches them in its beak and return to its perch.
Two of the winter species are Redwings and Fieldfares that can be seen found feeding on the ivy and holly berries.
Tree Creeper
The Tree Creeper is also a resident bird but is very shy and difficult to see. With mottled brown hues with delicate streaks and white underbellies, they are perfectly suited for seamless integration into the habitat. Their distinctive features include a white band above the eye and a gracefully curved, elongated beak. These birds are well adapted to their woodland habitats, where they can be found climbing up the trunks of trees in search of insects and other invertebrates. They have specialised features such as a curved bill for probing into bark crevices and stiff tail feathers that they use for support as they move vertically up trees. They are known for their distinctive behavior of spiraling up tree trunks in a series of short hops.
Black Cap
The Blackcap, scientifically known as Sylvia atricapilla, stands out among warblers with its elegant greyish plumage. In males, a defining feature is the prominent black cap crowning their heads, hence the name "Blackcap," while females boast a chestnut brown cap in contrast. One of its most charming attributes is its melodious song, often likened to that of the nightingale, earning it the endearing moniker of the "northern nightingale."
Primarily a migratory bird, the Blackcap traditionally summers in regions such as Germany and northeastern Europe, gracing the UK with its presence during the warmer months. However, in recent times, there has been a noticeable shift in behavior, with an increasing number of Blackcaps choosing to overwinter in the UK instead of migrating southward. This change in behaviour has intrigued researchers and bird enthusiasts alike, highlighting the adaptability of these fascinating avian creatures to changing environmental conditions.
Other Birds
Contact Us
If you have any questions or comments please contact us through our email: contact@hobbsnaturereserve.org.uk