BirdTrack Wallpaper Archive
Mediterranean Gull
An adult Mediterranean Gull in its breeding finery is a fantastic and increasingly frequent sight. The number of pairs breeding in the UK rose to over 500 in the last decade, though the distribution of colonies is still largely restricted to a few sites in southern England. The biggest concentrations of Mediterranean Gulls reported to BirdTrack are in March/April, perhaps involving birds congregating before moving back to the continent to breed. These large early spring gatherings are not reflected in the reporting rate though; this peaks in late summer.
Snow Bunting
Up to 100 pairs of Snow Buntings breed on Scottish mountain tops but many birders will be more familiar with them as winter visitors, particularly to coastal areas in the north and east. This year their rippling calls and flickering white wings revealed the presence of Snow Buntings on the east coast and one or two inland sites from mid-September, slightly earlier than in previous years. Ringing recoveries suggest that the majority of birds wintering along our coasts originate from breeding areas to the northwest, particularly Iceland.
Short-eared Owl
The sight of a Short-eared Owl slowly and gracefully hunting over a coastal marsh would be the highlight of a winter afternoon birdwatching for many, but it is also a breeding bird in upland areas, with somewhere between 1000 and 3500 pairs according to the 1988-91 Atlas. A few pairs breed in Ireland, although the absence of its favourite prey, the field vole, is thought to be a factor against its becoming regular there.
Great Northern Divers
For most people, Great Northern Divers are a rarely seen bird, and often only seen fleetingly at sea. But during stormy conditions, they often turn up inland, and will linger for several days feeding up before moving on.
Many of its foreign names, such as Loon (American), Lóma Mór (Irish) and Islom (Swedish), are derived from the haunting song of birds in the breeding season.
Robin |
Oystercatcher |
Bullfinch |
Purple Sandpiper |
Coot |
Little Egret |
Gannet |
Osprey |
Stock Dove |
Whitethroat |
Mute Swan |
Swallow |
Arctic Tern |
Hobby |
Redstart |
Wheatear |
Pintail |
Short-eared Owl |
Gadwall |
Kestrel |
Nuthatch |
Goosander |
Cormorant |
Red Kite |
Kingfishers |
Stonechat |
Goldfinch |
Whinchat |
Marsh Harrier |
Little Tern |
Long-eared Owl |
Red-necked Grebe |
Peregrine |
Robin |




































