Concise Garden Wildlife Guide Read online

  VOICE

  Noisy alarm call is a staccato rattle. Also various bisyllabic calls.

  HABITAT

  Breeds around farms and villages, and in hedgerows. Increasingly common in urban areas. Occurs throughout Europe except Iceland and northernmost Scotland.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Omnivore that feeds on seeds, insects, carrion, nestlings and eggs. Nest a football-sized twig dome built in a tree or large hedge.

  Carrion Crow

  Corvus corone

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 44–51cm. Black crow with a stout bill.

  VOICE

  Hard ‘krra-kra-kraa’ is the most common call.

  HABITAT

  Wide variety of habitats, from coasts to mountains and towns, across western and central Europe.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Omnivorous, feeding on carrion, nestlings and eggs, grain and insects. Builds a large cup nest of twigs and sticks in a tree, or on a cliff or building.

  SIMILAR SPECIES

  Hooded Crow (C. cornis). Like Carrion Crow, but with grey underparts and back; also similar voice and habits. Replaces Carrion Crow in eastern and northern Europe. In Britain common in north-west Scotland and Ireland; rare on east coast of England.

  Jackdaw

  Corvus monedula

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 30–34cm. Smallest of the ‘black’ crows, it is not entirely black. Nape is grey and eye has a very pale iris. Struts as it walks.

  VOICE

  Most common calls a metallic high-pitched ‘kya’ and ‘chak’.

  HABITAT

  Found across Europe on coasts, in ancient woodland and near human habitation.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  An omnivore, eating invertebrates, eggs and nestlings of other birds, small mammals and grain. Also forages on rubbish tips, and may feed alongside other corvids in fields. Natural nest sites are cavities in old trees (below) or holes in cliffs and rock faces. Buildings provide equally acceptable sites, and birds may nest in chimneys, churches and ruins.

  Jay

  Garrulus glandarius

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 32–35cm. Pinkish-brown body contrasts with the white rump and black tail. Streaked feathers on forehead are often raised in a crest. Pale eye, black moustache and blue-and-black wing-flash.

  VOICE

  Call a noisy and screeching ‘kscharch’.

  HABITAT

  Found in all types of woods, preferring those with a plentiful supply of acorns. Has taken to gardens in some suburban areas. Found across Europe, where it is mostly resident.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Feeds on seeds, fruits, and eggs and nestlings of other birds. Buries acorns, beechnuts and hornbeam seeds for later use. Builds a flat nest of twigs in a tree.

  Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 19–22cm. Short tail and neck, upright stance, pink legs, white spots and metallic green sheen. Tends to be seen in large numbers, which fly in tight formation – the swirling flocks of thousands of birds at winter roosts can be dramatic.

  VOICE

  A versatile mimic of other birds, but its own calls are creaky twitters, chirps, clicks and whistles. Alarm call a sharp ‘kyett’.

  HABITAT

  Naturally a bird of oak woodland, it has spread into a number of habitats and seems particularly fond of human settlements.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Eats a wide variety of food. In winter large flocks forage in fields and gardens, as well as on seashores. Nests in holes in buildings, in trees and on cliffs.

  Common Chiffchaff

  Phylloscopus collybita

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 10–12cm. Small neat bird with a fine bill and thin dark legs. Stripe above the eye, and a darkish patch beneath the eye emphasizing white eye-ring. Habit of flicking its tail downwards.

  VOICE

  Call a soft ‘hueet’. Song a slow and measured ‘chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff’.

  HABITAT

  Usually breeds in open deciduous woodland with some scrub. Mainly a summer visitor to Britain, Scandinavia and central Europe, from mid-March to August–November. Most likely to be seen in gardens while in transit.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Feeds on small insects, which it finds by flitting around among foliage. Eats berries in autumn. Builds a domed nest on the ground.

  House Sparrow

  Passer domesticus

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 14–16cm. Male has a grey cap and grey breast, with an extensive black throat patch. Brown back with dark streaks in both sexes. Female has a pale brown cap and buff eye-stripe. Wings of both sexes have small white wing-bars.

  VOICE

  Various monotonous chirps.

  HABITAT

  Found in towns, villages and farmland near human habitation. In winter flocks may feed in fields. Occurs across Europe except far north; declining in Britain.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Omnivorous, feeding on seeds and insects, as well as bread and other food left by people. Social even when breeding. Builds an untidy nest in a hole in a buildings or sometimes a tree.

  Goldfinch

  Carduelis carduelis

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 12–13.5cm. Striking red face, white cheeks and throat, black cap and black-and-gold wings. Sexes are alike, but juvenile has a brown-streaked head until the late summer or early autumn.

  VOICE

  A piercing and cheerful trisyllabic ‘tickelitt’ call. Song rather soft with a series of rapid trills and twitters involving the ‘tickelitt’ call.

  HABITAT

  Breeds in open lowland woodland, heaths, orchards and gardens, south from southern Scandinavia.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Feeds on seeds and berries, taking insects when feeding young. Pointed bill enables it to extract seeds from thistle-heads and teasels. Nest a neat structure of grass, moss and lichens, lined with thistledown or wool and built at the tips of branches.

  Greenfinch

  Carduelis chloris

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 14–16cm. Stouter than most other finches. In summer adults are olive-green, merging into grey-green on the face, wings and flanks, with bright yellow wing feathers on either side of the tail. Female’s colouring is subdued, with faint brownish streaks on the back.

  VOICE

  Flight call a sharp ‘burrurrup’. Song a wheezy sequence of twitters and whistles.

  HABITAT

  Breeds in woodland edges, open woodland, parks, gardens and farmland with hedges. In winter flocks may feed in gardens.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Eats seeds and berries, and some insects during the breeding season. A visitor to garden bird tables, where it has acquired a taste for peanuts.

  Chaffinch

  Fringilla coelebs

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 14–16cm. Bright colours of male in spring make it hard to confuse with other species. In winter the blue-grey of the head and pink of the breast are subdued. Female similar to female House Sparrow.

  VOICE

  Call a sharp ‘pink’, but flight call a softer ‘yupp’. Song a loud ringing trill that becomes lower and ends in a flourish, before being repeated again.

  HABITAT

  Breeds in all types of woodland, as well as in parks and gardens. British birds are resident, but those from elsewhere in Europe may winter in Britain.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Eats fruits and seeds, and also insects during the breeding season. Nest a neat cup of moss and lichens, lined with feathers and built in the fork of a branch in a small tree or bush.

  Siskin

  Carduelis spinus

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 12cm. Dark-streaked, greenish-yellow plumage. Male yellower than female, with a black cap and bib. Wingbars in both sexes are yellow, and male�
��s tail has yellow patches on either side. Tail is deeply notched. Flight flitting and uneven.

  VOICE

  Flight call either a descending ‘tilu’ or a rising ‘tlui’; twittery, trilling song.

  HABITAT

  Coniferous and mixed forests in winter in much of Europe.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Seeds of trees, favouring birch and alder catkins, and spruce cones. Nest a cup of twigs high up in tree, usually a conifer. Moves around in flocks in winter.

  Red Squirrel

  Sciurus vulgaris

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 21–25cm (body); 14–20cm (tail). Several colour morphs ranging from red to black. In winter fur becomes greyer and ear-tufts are prominent. Smaller than Grey Squirrel.

  HABITAT

  Forests, especially coniferous, and woods dominated by beeches, across much of Europe. Increasingly scarce in Britain, where the main threats to it are an increase in Grey Squirrels, disease (squirrel poxvirus transmitted via Grey Squirrels, which are largely immune) and road traffic.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Solitary and diurnal, with peaks of activity around dawn and dusk. Feeds mostly on conifer seeds, favouring pine cones, as well as larch and spruce. Also eats fungi, shoots and fruits, and sometimes birds’ eggs. Hoards food. Mating varies between winter and spring, according to availability of food and geographical distribution. Nests in dreys, often in the forks of tree trunks. Litter size 3–8. Lifespan 3–5 years, but many die in the first year.

  Conifer seeds extracted from cones are a key food source

  Grey Squirrel

  Sciurus carolinensis

  Sign of a squirrel’s presence: nutshell split open

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 23–30cm (body); 19–24cm (tail). Grey fur is variably tinged with red and yellow. Some individuals are noticeably red in summer.

  HABITAT

  North American species that has been introduced to Britain and Ireland, where it is now very common in wooded habitats, including gardens and parks.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Active during the day. In summer foraging takes place mainly in trees, but it also searches on the ground for fungi, bulbs, roots and cached acorns. Food includes eggs, nestlings, leaves, buds and shoots. Drey is a large structure of twigs, leaves, bark and grass. Does not hibernate. Breeds May and December. Up to seven young are born. Lifespan up to nine years.

  Edible Dormouse

  Glis glis

  Sign of a dormouse’s presence: smooth-edged hole in nutshell

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 13–19cm (body); 11–15cm (tail). Uniformly grey with a faint yellowish tinge, fleshy nose and naked rounded ears. Eyes are surrounded by dark rings. Bushy tail.

  HABITAT

  Mature woodlands, parks and large gardens. Found throughout Europe, but absent from Scandinavia. Introduced to Britain in antiquity.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Nocturnal and secretive, spending the day hidden in a hole in a tree or in an old bird’s nest. Forages in the tree canopy; also enters sheds and lofts in search of food. Favours nuts and berries, but some insects and nestlings are also eaten. Hibernation begins October. Breeds June–August. Litter size 4–6. Lifespan up to six years.

  Field Vole

  Microtus agrestis

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 9.5–13.5cm (body); 2.5–4.6 cm (tail). Coarse yellowish grey-brown fur and a short tail. Ears are hidden by fur.

  HABITAT

  Prefers rough grassland and scrub. Also found in open woodland, field margins and hedges. Occurs across Europe from northern Spain; absent from Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Balkans, Norway and Sweden.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Mostly nocturnal; sometimes active during the day, particularly in winter. Mainly vegetarian, eating leaves and seeds. Breeds March–October; longer in mild winters. Litter size 2–7, with up to seven litters a year. Only a few voles reach 18 months.

  Bank Vole

  Clethrionomys glareolus

  Sign of a vole’s presence: clearly delineated gnawed edge in nutshell

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 8–11cm (body); 3.5–7.2cm (tail). Rounded face and small eyes. Bright chestnut fur on the back and buffish-grey underparts.

  HABITAT

  Mixed deciduous woodland with well-developed undergrowth, but also coniferous woodland, grassland and scrub. Occurs across Europe from northern Spain to northern Scandinavia; absent from much of Ireland, Iceland, Italy and Greece.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Actively searches for seeds, roots, nuts, shoots and buds during the day in summer, with peaks of activity around dawn and dusk. Breeds April–December. Litter size 3–5, with 4–5 litters a year. Lifespan rarely exceeds 18 months.

  Wood Mouse

  Apodemus sylvaticus

  Sign of a mouse’s presence: upper teeth marks evident in nutshell

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 8–10cm (body); 6.9–11.5cm (tail). Orange-brown fur, noticeable ears and tail that may be longer than the body. Underparts pale grey.

  HABITAT

  Every habitat except those that are too wet or too high (above 2,500m). Rare in coniferous woodland. Occurs throughout Europe except far north.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Forages largely at night for seeds, buds, fruits, nuts, snails and spiders. A good climber; can be found in trees and enters houses in search of food. Does not hibernate, but slows down in cold weather. Litter size 2–11, with about six litters a year. Life expectancy 10–17 weeks, but a few reach two years.

  House Mouse

  Mus domesticus

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 7–10cm (body); 6.5–10cm (tail). Uniformly greyish fur, and a thick scaly tail. Colour varies. Emits a strong musky smell when disturbed.

  HABITAT

  Originated in rocky habitats in Asia, and now closely associated with humans. Found in buildings and on farmland throughout Europe except far north.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Primarily a grain eater feeding on wide variety of seeds, roots, fungi and invertebrates, taking an average of about 3.5g a day. Litter size 5–8, with 5–10 litters a year. Mortality high, with very few surviving to reach two years.

  Yellow-necked Mouse

  Apodemus flavicollis

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 8.5–13cm (body); 9–13.5cm (tail). Larger, brighter and redder than Wood Mouse, with a clearer demarcation between the upperside and underside. Distinct yellow bib between the front legs in northern Europe; this is less distinct in the southern area of its range.

  HABITAT

  Favours deciduous woodland, wooded gardens and established orchards; also coniferous forests and mountains at up to 2,250m. Occurs in Wales, southern England, northern Spain and France, but not far north.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Eats acorns, seeds, grain, fungi, berries, leaves, insect larvae and pupae, snails and birds’ eggs. Hoards food throughout the year. Largely nocturnal. Litter size 2–11, with 3–4 litters a year. Lifespan up to four years.

  Brown Rat

  Rattus norvegicus

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 11–29cm (body); 8.5–23cm (tail). Coarse grey-brown fur and a thick scaly tail.

  HABITAT

  Found across Europe except Arctic Scandinavia, in all habitats associated with humans. May move onto farmland in summer in search of cereals.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Wary nocturnal rodent rarely seen by humans, despite living close to them. Prefers grain, but will eat a variety of foods including roots, buds, fruits, frogs, birds’ eggs and human refuse. Breeds throughout the year. Litter size 7–8, with about five litters a year. Lifespan one year.

  European Rabbit

  Oryctolagus cuniculus

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 34 –50cm (body); 4–8cm (tail). Grey-brown with an off-white belly and long rounded ear
s. Prominent eyes are chestnut and nose is gently rounded. Underside of the tail is white.

  HABITAT

  Favours heathland, meadows, grassland, farmland, woodland and large gardens. Found throughout Europe.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Generally seen around dusk and dawn, or at night. Vegetarian diet includes crops, cereals, saplings, grasses and bulbs. Breeds year round.

  European Hedgehog

  Erinaceus europaeus

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 20–30cm (body); 1–4cm (tail). Rounded short body covered with spines, which are dark with creamy tips. Face and underside are covered with coarse hairs. Longish legs. Pointed nose, small ears and eyes, and pointed teeth.

  HABITAT

  Lowlands up to 2,000m, where there is ground cover for shelter and nesting, across Europe except far north.

  FOOD AND HABITS

  Eats invertebrates found at ground level, including slugs, worms and beetles, as well as birds’ eggs and nestlings, and carrion. Usually nocturnal. Runs quite fast, can climb banks and walls, and swims. Mainly solitary. Spines protect it from most predators. Cars, lawnmowers and poisoning by chemicals such as slug pellets are the main causes of death. Hibernates October–March/April. Litter size 2–7, with 1–2 litters a year. Mortality is high in the first year, but survivors live for about three years.

  European Mole

  Talpa europaea

  SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

  Length 11–16cm (body); 2–4cm (tail). Soft grey-black fur, cylindrical shape, massive earth-moving front paws, tiny eyes covered by fur and a pink bewhiskered nose. Rarely seen above the ground; the hills it leaves on the ground are a sign of its presence.