05-Apr April’s Avian Romance

The testes of cock sparrows may have increased four hundred fold, making him considerably more attentive to females. There is even more strutting with upturned tail feathers and bold stands than last month. Robins may still be seen feeding females and wrens are still singing loudly from the tops of bushes. Hedge sparrows are still shivering and woodpigeons still wing-clapping and indulging in unnecessary V-shaped glides. Blue tits and great tits can be seen searching diligently for nest sites. Male great tits perch at the nest box and even look inside to examine their suitability. The female, encouraged, sometimes pecks at the box as if to check its solidity. Males can also sometimes be seen throwing leaves about.

Greenfinches, between their display flights, are running around on the ground, sometimes even running towards humans and then swerving away just at the last moment. The females, if encouraged, squat, shiver and raise their tails. Crows, magpies and jays are all still flying extravagantly and using a softer, more varied vocabulary than usual. Jackdaws sometimes have aerial displays involving large numbers but, if near a female, they make sure they show off their grey nape.

The redstart has sadly now almost disappeared as a breeding bird in London, which means we are deprived of observing its famous courtship. These handsome orange, black and slate blue birds are known to use nest boxes. The male will sit in them with his head protruding out, looking for females. When she appears, he stretches his head and then hisses at her. There is more chasing than enticing in his courtship and he is not above putting his head in the nest box and then fanning his bright orange-red tail out of it to attract her attention. They have survived for some time in London’s rural areas, but have now almost disappeared from London’s inner three hundred or more central woodlands. Epping forest and Ashtead forest are still places to wander around and hope.

Another rarity almost lost is the delicate bowing and purring courtship of turtle doves. Their behaviour has always been associated with gentleness, love and fidelity. It can occasionally still be seen in places such as Bookham Common.

Another two displays worth seeking out are the yellowhammer and pied wagtail. The yellowhammer is quite dazzling when he drops his wings, raises his crest and fans his tail only to be completely ignored by the female. The overtures of the pied wagtail are equally amusing. He points his beak towards her then dances in a half circle around her keeping his head and wings down and tail spread whilst continually calling “Chiswick”. The most extravagant of all the courtships, the great crested grebe, can still be seen in the early part of April.

The most savage of all courtships is seen in mallards. Several males can be seen mercilessly chasing a female. They swim around her, with their bills in the water and, given a chance, grab the nape of her neck. Usually, the number of times waterfowl mate reaches a crescendo one or two days before the eggs are laid.

The displays of raptors are now getting particularly exciting. Sparrowhawks continue from last month to make soaring, circular flights up to one hundred feet or more, often just above a nesting female. His tail will be fanned before he closes his wings and then dives down towards her. This can be seen as centrally as Highgate Wood. To have the chance of seeing any of the famous aerial passes between courting hen harriers, it would be necessary to go to Elmley marshes in Kent and hope, but hobbies can sometimes be seen doing the same thing in places such as Ashtead forest.

The more familiar kestrel does not go in for anything other than a shrill call over the nest site. More recently, with peregrines nesting on the Houses of Parliament, there may be a chance to see their dazzling display. This can consist of the two birds diving and soaring repeatedly together at breath-taking speed. By the end of the month you are likely just to see the tiercel hunting as it is he who now feeds his considerably larger mate, whilst she sits on the nest.

The more familiar kestrel does not go in for anything other than a shrill call over the nest site. More recently, with peregrines nesting on the Houses of Parliament, there may be a chance to see their dazzling display. This can consist of the two birds diving and soaring repeatedly together at breath-taking speed. By the end of the month you are likely just to see the tiercel hunting as it is he who now feeds his considerably larger mate, whilst she sits on the nest.