It maybe the month of summer holidays in much of the country, but for birds, August is very much a time of return migration, with an autumnal feel. By the time of Bank Holiday late in the month, passage is starting to be in full swing. Here are five beautiful birds to enjoy.
Juvenile Curlew
This month is a great time to be on the look-out for wandering Curlews, particularly juveniles. Having dispersed from the breeding grounds on damp moorland and heath etc, the youngsters head off to the coast, and will call in at suitable wetlands for a wash and brush up and perhaps a quick feed and sleep, on the way. Unlike most waders, juvenile Curlews look very similar to their parents. The easiest way to distinguish them in August is that the juveniles tend to have much shorter bills than the adults. Remember, as a rule, male Curlews have much shorter bills than females; but juveniles’ bills (especially juvenile males’) are even shorter.
Redstart
August into September is the best time to catch up with Redstarts migrating south and east from the breeding grounds (mainly in the north and west). Remember, these birds on the move will be a mix of first-winter birds (looking to have rather toned down colours, owing to the fresh buff feather fringes) and adults which also look less bright than in the spring (for the same reasons). They classically like dense hedges and bushes (n which to hide) and like to drop down on sparsely vegetated (or short cropped) ground to pounce on their insect prey, before returning to the bush/hedge above.
Black-necked Grebe
Post-breeding, scarce Black-necked Grebes also also a bird on the move, which could turn up on inland pits, reservoirs etc on their way to wintering on the sea near the coast. Juveniles are a bit like less contrasting winter-plumaged adults, and are perhaps the most likely to be found. On a black-and-white grebe, a little larger and longer-necked than a Little Grebe, note the steep forehead and pointed crown, and the black bill which looks slightly up turned.
Tree Sparrow
Though a bird which has undergone a massive reduction in population in the UK, there are still strongholds of this cute, pretty sparrow, including at the RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire. So, when heading there for you later summer fill of the spectacular seabird city, enjoy Tree Sparrows over a cup of tea, at the visitor centre. Remember, the sexes are similar: both have a chestnut (not grey) crown, black spot on the white cheek and white collar.
Pied Flycatcher
Like so many insect-eating birds, Pied Flycatchers have become increasingly scarce as breeders and passage migrants, in the UK, with a decline of nearly 60% between 1997 and 2022 (to about 20,000 pairs). They have become a rather treasured species to pick up on ‘autumn’ passage. Remember, at this time of year, all Pied Flycatchers tend to look brown and white (rather than black and white), in their fresh plumage. Check the tops of bushes, or along fence lines etc, from where they will fly to catch insects, or glean them from vegetation.
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