A Hike up Haughmond Hill
Birds to look out for
Many of the birds of Haughmond Hill are rarely seen in the dense conifer wood. If you want
to find them you have to listen. You will hear them busy calling to each others as they
forage for food in the treetops. Tiny long-tailed tits are quite sociable and travel in
parties. You will see them hanging upside down on twigs looking for small insects to eat.
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Kestrels
On the edge of Haughmond hill you might well see kestrels taking advantage of
up-draughts to
hover above the grassland, as they search for voles to eat. Voles leave a trail of urine
probably to help them find their way back to their holes. This is their undoing as kestrels
can actually see the urine trail in ultra violet and so know where to look for their next meal.
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Goldcrests
Goldcrests are common on Haughmond and they are Britain's smallest bird. They have a
beautiful golden stripe on the top of their head. However it is very hard to get a
good look at them as they are fast and furious. You will soon learn to detect their high
pitched calls which will lead you to them.
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Wrens
Wrens can make you jump out of your skin as they suddenly burst into song from the undergrowth.
They have a huge voice for such a small bird.
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Buzzards
You will almost certainly see buzzards riding the thermals as
well. They prefer a meal of
rabbits although they also eat worms. This may seem a surprising choice for such a big bird of
prey but worms are full of protein.
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