We’ve all heard the ‘clunk’ of a bird striking glass and have probably seen a rather dazed blackbird or starling outside but some rather more unusual birds are crashing into windows this winter. The RSPB is receiving numerous calls from worried people who are baffled by large, bulky birds with long, straight beaks that have collided with walls, doors and windows.
The wildlife charity is advising that they are woodcock, which are wading birds migrating from continental Europe for the winter. They arrive throughout October and November and migrate during the night at a low level, often coming to grief as they fly over towns. Many reports are coming from buildings close to rivers which suggests the woodcock are following the rivers on migration and crashing into buildings along the banks. Experts believe they are failing to see buildings and windows, possibly because they are attracted to light or because they mistake reflections in windows for the open sky.
Check out Katie's Blog Crash! Bang Woodcock? to find out more!
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