The Birds of North Curry

By Tony Hoskin

Great Spotted Woodpecker at the woodland in October

As a newcomer to North Curry and a keen bird watcher, I was pleased to find the Community Woodland in the far corner of White Street Sports Ground. I was soon discovering and photographing the wildlife at the woodland, in particular the birds feeding and using the various nest boxes provided there. 

Robin at the woodland in May

It wasn’t long before I met a member of the wildlife group who invited me to share my photos on their website which was the start of my involvement with the group. As I came to explore the area further, I found a good variety of bird species in and around North Curry, both resident and summer and winter migrant birds.

Blackbird eating Rowan berries in late July

Over my first year in North Curry, I have seen most of the resident species that I would expect to see in the area, most of which are plentiful if you know where to look. The Community Woodland is a good starting point, where a quiet stroll around the paths can give you sightings of several species, including Blackbirds, Blue and Great Tits, even Long-tailed Tits. The Blue and Great Tits used the nest boxes in spring. 

Blue Tit leaving a box at the woodland in May

After a walk around the site, the circular seat in the centre of the woodland is a good place to sit and observe the birds. From here, the feeding stations can be viewed where there are frequent visitors, including Marsh Tits, Coal Tits, Reed Buntings and Greenfinches.

Female Greenfinch at a feeder at the woodland in May

 

As many of us are aware, much of our wildlife is sadly in decline for various reasons so places like the Community Woodland can help by providing a safe haven for our birds to feed, nest and shelter. Great Spotted Woodpeckers can frequently be seen or heard at the woodland, and Barn Owls have been known to use the owl boxes and have occasionally been seen at dusk. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker at the woodland in October

In the springtime, look out for Blackcaps,Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs as all have been seen and heard at the woodland and various other places around the village. Blackcaps, in particular, can be a pleasure to hear with a very musical song as they perch often high in branches, and if in view can easily be identified by their black cap.

Whitethroat at the woodland in May

Curry Moor is another good place for both resident and migrant birds. Buzzards and Kestrels can be seen year round, and in the spring and summer Swallows and House Martins can be seen gliding over the fields feeding on insects. Sedge Warblers can be heard along the banks of the rhynes with their very vocal song. 

Sedge Warbler with a beak full of insects for its young on Curry Moor in June

Some of my favourite walks are on Curry Moor and West Sedgemoor. During the spring and summer both these moors have an abundance of birds and you can hear Skylarks singing in the air, while Robins and Wrens can be heard in the bushes and even Song Thrushes singing from a high perch in a tree. 

There is never a visit to the moor without a sighting of at least one Heron, and more often than not many can be seen hunting either on the edges of the rhynes or standing out in the fields. Mute Swans can also be found on both moors. I have been following a family of Mute Swans on Curry Moor from the time they were eggs in May through to the autumn where five out of the six hatched are doing very well.

Mute Swan family on Curry Moor with cygnets at 6 months old

Little Egrets can be seen on both moors, and Yellow Wagtails are regularly seen flitting along the ground catching small insects. 

Yellow Wagtail at Helland in June

One damp October morning, I was very lucky to come across 25–30 Common Cranes along the drove from Helland to West Sedgemoor. Some were standing in a field and others flying over. These are part of the RSPB’s Great Crane Project which reintroduced 93 Common Cranes to this area between 2010 and 2014 (more information can be found on their website: www.thegreatcraneproject.org.uk).

Common Cranes in the field in October

Common Cranes in flight

Many autumn and winter visitors come to the moors where Fieldfares and Mistle Thrushes can be seen feeding on berries, often joining our resident Starlings, and I have seen Lapwings, Snipe and Shelduck among others on West Sedgemoor. Lapwings are a resident wader which can be seen especially during the winter. During the breeding season, they nest on the ground in grassland, moorland and arable farmland, but have been in drastic decline over the years.

Fieldfare and Starlings eating berries on Curry Moor in November

Another bird becoming rare throughout the UK is the Skylark, though we are very lucky to have several pairs locally on Curry Moor and they can also be seen at West Sedgemoor. In the spring, their tuneful song can be heard as they hover high in the sky.

Skylark on the ground on Curry Moor in May

One bird that I had hoped to see but have not yet seen or heard is the Yellowhammer. Yellowhammers were once a common sight in the countryside, often seen and heard singing from a branch or telephone wire. They are a ground-nesting bird, mostly nesting at the foot of field hedges. If anyone does see one, please let us know via the wildlife group’s website. 

Yellowhammer 

Another bird I had expected to see is a winter visitor, the Brambling, a member of the finch family and a colourful winter visitor that will come to feeding stations. I have yet to see one here so would be pleased to hear if any one spots them in their garden or on bird feeders.

Brambling on a bird table

Please use our website Contact page to tell us about your sightings, or visit the Species section of the website for more information and pictures of the birds of North Curry:
https://www.northcurrywildlife.com/