![]() ![]() Herons are very sociable birds and often nest in large groups called Heronries. At around 1 metre in height, they are likely, the largest birds you’ll ever see in your back garden. They can be sighted across the UK and are often seen perched on rooftops or paying a visit to a backyard pond. There are a staggering 180 breeding pairs in Scotland alone! Gannets have powerful wings that span up to 6.6 feet which help them plunge into choppy seawater in search of prey at up to an impressive 60mph, diving down to 15 metres below the surface to catch their prey. In fact, Britain is home to 40% of the global Gannet population. The Gannet is Britain’s largest sea bird. Their call is also distinctive, making a particularly loud honking sound. To tell them apart from their smaller cousins, the Bewick Swan, and the Mute Swan, Whooper Swans have a pointed yellow V shape on either side of their smooth bill. The Whooper Swan is the largest Swan to be found in the UK with a wingspan reaching 160cm and a weight of up to 11kg. They are however mainly an Icelandic visitor. There are around 23 breeding pairs of Whooper Swan that remain all year in the north of Britain. When left undisturbed, Golden Eagles can live up to 25 years in the wild. Although the Golden Eagle has no natural predators, it has been hunted for centuries by gamekeepers who see it as a threat to the birds on their estates. Since the 18 th century, however, Gold Eagles have only been sighted in Scotland. There was a time when the regal Golden Eagle was found across the UK. Thanks to efforts by Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Forestry Commission and the RSPB there are now around 42 breeding pairs in the wild. Sadly, by the 1900’s, the majestic Sea Eagle had been hunted to extinction in the British Isles with the last bird being shot in 1913. The largest land bird and raptor in the UK, the Sea Eagle, also known as the White Tailed Eagle or Erne, has enjoyed a similar comeback. ![]() Two years ago, the RSPB published a report stating that the total, national population had reached 180 and that numbers were steadily increasing. In 2010 The Great Crane project was set up to protect the wetland habitats these beautiful, birds use as nesting grounds. They were hunted to extinction in the 17 th century and only began to make a comeback when a small number of breeding pairs returned to the Norfolk broads in 1979. The Common Crane wasn’t always Britain’s largest bird. In contrast, the UK’s largest bird, the Common Crane stands a mighty 130cm tall, about the height of a nine year old child and weighs in at 6.1 kg with a wingspan stretching up to 2.4 metres! The Common Crane The UK’s smallest bird is the tiny Goldcrest, weighing in at only 5.5 grams which is about the same weight as a sugar lump and has a wingspan of only 14.5cm. The UK is home to birds of all shapes and sizes. What Are the Best Ways to Store Bird Feed?.How to Keep Your Bird Feeder Clean and Hygienic.How can you do your bit for wildlife conservation.How birdwatching activities can benefit your mental health.5 things to do to rewild your garden in time for spring.Garden and nature crafts you can do with the kids.7 Ways to Get your Children Involved With The Big Garden Birdwatch.World Wildlife Day How To Attract Wildlife To Your Garden.World Tourism Day: Birds From Around The World.Top 10 yellow birds in Britain and the UK to attract in your garden.The Ultimate Guide to Using Blended Bird Seed.
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