Rook (corvus frugilegus)

The rook is a very large (45cm) black bird in the crow family. It has a bare face patch around its beak, which makes it look different to others in the family. It also has thigh feathers that look a bit like its wearing shorts!

Rooks like to nest in a big group called a rookery at the top of high trees when the trees are still bare in early spring. One of these can be seen at Newburn, just along the road from here (see video below). They make a lot of noise when they’re all roosting as there can be 100s or even 1000s together.  A large flock of rooks is known as a ‘parliament’. The male brings sticks for the female to build the bulky, cup-shaped nest, which is lined with soil, soft wool and moss.

They like to strut around fields where they feed on leatherjackets and wireworms.

House sparrow (passer domesticus)

The male house sparrow looks quite different to the female and some people think it’s a different bird. The male has a streaked brown back, grey crown, black chest bib and white wing bars whilst the female is brown all over. The baby birds beg for food from their parents by quivering their bodies and wings. Sparrows chatter with a loud ‘chissup’ or ‘chee-ip’ which can last a long while!

Sparrows are used to living around humans and live in both the town and the countryside. They like to have a splash in puddles and a dust bath in dry soil. They nest in cracks in walls, as well as hedges and small trees.

Long-tailed Tit (aegithalos caudatus)

This striking, black, white and pink tit has a very long black tail, which is more than half its length. You’ll see them travelling around in small flocks looking for insects and spiders especially in the birch trees in Scotswood Garden. They need to eat a lot as they lose heat quickly and may die if they can’t get enough food in the winter.

Long tailed tits are known as master builders as their nests are beautiful – made from moss and lined with cobwebs, hair and 100s of tiny feathers. The hole into the nest is small so they have to fold their tail over their head to get in. The female bird lays 8-12 white eggs.

Goldfinch (carduelis carduelis)

These lovely finches are seen very often in the garden feeding on thistle and teasel seeds and making a lot of noise in the blackthorn hedging at the north end of the garden nearest to Whickham View. They have become much more common in the last decade.

They have a bright red face with a black and white head. There is a bright bar of yellow on the wings. A flock of goldfinches is known as a ‘charm’ and they are certainly charming with their dancing flight pattern and tinkling bell call. 

The nest is neat and delicately woven with the fluff from thistles lining the inside to make a soft bed. The 4-6 eggs are pale bluish white with reddish brown streaks.

Blackbird (turdus merula)

The blackbird is a much-loved common bird in the UK and often seen in the garden. Its beautiful song heralds the first signs of spring as it perches on a high point for all to hear. Blackbirds also have a very loud alarm call of ‘pink, pink, pink’ if they are scared.

It is only the male that is black with a bright yellow beak and eye circle. The female is brown all over.

They love to eat worms, fruit and berries.

The nest is a solid cup of grass and small twigs lined with mud and moss. It contains 3-5 pale blue speckled eggs.