Concise Coastal Bird Guide

By Bloomsbury Publishing

This practical field guide, published in association with the Wildlife Trusts, includes 170 species of coastal birds from Britain and the near Continent.

Each species account contains accurate artworks that show details of variations in plumage for male, female and juvenile birds, as well as breeding and non-breeding birds. A concise written account outlines further essential information, such as size, description, voice, habitat, distribution and habits.

The easy-to-follow layouts and illustrations aid quick and precise identification, and make this book an indispensable reference in the field as well as at home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: May 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781472921802

Book preview

Bewick’s Swan

Cygnus columbianus

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

125cm. The smallest of our swans. Adult pure white with black bill, small rounded yellow marking on bill base, eyes and legs black. Juvenile light grey with same bill pattern as adult but marking is pinkish rather than yellow.

VOICE

High-pitched bugling call, softer than Whooper’s.

HABITAT

Breeds on Russian Arctic tundra, migrates to north-west Europe, including mainly southern Britain, in winter. Damp meadowland and shallow lakes.

FOOD AND HABITS

Feeds on grass, aquatic vegetation and other plant matter. Often stays in family groups within larger flock. Highly gregarious and may flock with other swan species.

Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnus

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

150cm. About the size of Mute Swan but less bulky. Adult pure white with black bill, large yellow marking on bill base extending in point towards bill tip, eyes and legs black. Juvenile light grey with same bill pattern as adult but marking is pinkish rather than yellow.

VOICE

Loud, ringing, bugling call.

HABITAT

Breeds in northern and eastern Europe, visits Britain and western Europe in winter, more common in northern Britain. Damp meadowland and shallow lakes.

FOOD AND HABITS

Diet and habits very similar to those of Bewick’s Swan. Often on arable fields, sometimes with Mute Swans.

Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

152cm. Largest flying bird in Britain. Adult is all white, juvenile grey-brown. Distinguished from wintering Bewick’s and Whooper Swans by orange bill with black knob at base (smaller in female) and more graceful curve to