Species of the month: Yellowhammer

11th Mar 2022

Each month we’d like to showcase the wildlife, flora and fauna that we find across the Estate to share with you.

Species of the month: Yellowhammer

We are very lucky to have captured this beautiful yellowhammer on camera, back in March last year; a flock of them are regularly sighted at Courteenhall. 

Male yellowhammers have an unmistakeable bright yellow head with a copper and brown back and underparts and are usually found singing from a branch or hedgerow.

These lovely little birds are, unfortunately, on the red list as their population declined massively between 1970 and 1998, this is thought to be due to lack of over winter food.

At Courteenhall, we put down approximately 5 tonnes of wild bird seed through the hungry gap each year to help support a variety of birds, such as yellowhammers, redwings and yellow wagtails, survive through winter.

(Photograph by Tony Betts

 

Here are a few ways in which you can help feed wild birds at home:

  • Why not include a bird table or feeders to your garden? You can even purchase window box feeders for those with limited space.

(Photograph by Getty Images

 

  • Choose smaller seeds such as millet or sunflowers seeds to attract the smaller birds to your garden such as chaffinch’s, blue tits and house sparrows. You can purchase wildbird seed from various garden centres, farm shops or places like Eyebrook wild bird seeds over in Rutland who produce the seed themselves https://www.eyebrookwildbirdfeeds.co.uk/
  • Try to avoid using netting in your garden, especially around breeding season which is from February through to end of August.

 

( Photograph by Kichigin)

 

  • A bird bath can really help birds keep their feathers in top condition. Providing an area for wildlife to access clean drinking water is vital and you’ll notice a real difference to the number of visitors you receive as a result.

(Photograph by RSPB)

 

See how many species you can identify from this list in your garden. 

 

We will also be taking part in the Big Farmland Bird Count, taking place between 4th and 20th February; you can find out more about it here.

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