Magpie [Pica pica]

With its noisy chattering, black-and-white plumage and long tail, there is nothing else quite like the magpie in the UK. When seen close-up its black plumage takes on an altogether more colourful hue with a purplish-blue iridescent sheen to the wing feathers, and a green gloss to the tail. Magpies seem to be jacks of all trades - scavengers, predators and pest-destroyers, their challenging, almost arrogant attitude has won them few friends. Non-breeding birds will gather together in flocks. [RSPB]

Grey Heron [Ardea cinerea]

Where to see them

Around any kind of water – garden ponds, lakes, rivers and even on estuaries. Sometimes, grey herons circle high up into the sky and can be mistaken for large birds of prey.

Part 8. Slimbridge WWT. Bewick's Swan [Cygnus columbianus]

Adults are white all over and young birds greyish with a pinkish bill. Compared to the similar whooper swan, these swans have proportionally more black and less yellow on their bill. They're also smaller than both mute and whooper swans and have faster wingbeats. [RSPB]

Part 7 Slimbridge WWT. Avocet [Recurvirostra avosetta]

Part 6, Slimbridge WWT. Eider Duck (male & female) Photographed by Callum.

This is the work of Callum Bushell, my son. He fell in love with thier noise, coy coo.

Male

Female