Britain's National Bird

[AndyRM]

[QUOTE 3592311, member: 9609"]Hen harrier is teetering on the edge of extinction in England with only three known breeding pairs left. Heavily persecuted near shooting estates and this was the species that got attention when two were seen being shot over the Royal Sandringham estate where Prince Harry was shooting at the time LINK

On the Amber list of endagered species we have from the list
Barn Owls - loss of habitat
Kingfisher - loss of habitat
Puffin - probably overfishing, for the first time ever (official record) showed they never bred last year at St Abbs Head nature reserve, I havn't seen them there for the last four seasons, 20 years ago they were an easy t spot bird during the breeding season[/QUOTE]

That's a shame, particularly the loss of habitat as it's entirely preventable and will affect other animals too.

 

[nickyboy]

Surely it has to be the barn owl. It is found not only across the Island but in many books, novels and movies. And wise as.

Not really. I keep a keen eye out for birds and have done all my life. I have never seen a Barn Owl in the Peak District in 12 years and before that I only saw one while growing up in N Lancashire. Same goes for Red Kites

 

[nickyboy]

I'd either vote for Hen Harrier as it is the bird on the list most in need of publicity to bring it back from almost extinction in England. Or a common garden bird that most people recognise like Blackbird.....or Robin

 

[Glow worm]

David Lindo is a very interesting guy - extremely knowledgeable too. I've been reading his blog for a few years now and it's amazing what turns up on his local patch (Wormwood Scrubs in N. London). He regularly sees rarities like the ring ouzel, wheatears and whitethroat among other things there, normally on Spring or Autumn passage. It's partly why I love watching birds so much- you can do it from just about anywhere, including a rather neglected open space in London.

My favourite is probably the bullfinch as they're stunning (males) and their soft call always sounds so sad to me. They're also vanishingly rare hereabouts. It wasn't on the list so went for barn owl.I guess it should really be a bird everyone can see wherever they are though so in retrospect, robin, blackbird or blue tit might be more appropriate.

 

[Globalti]

Surely a national bird has to be a bird that's unique to your country?

 

[Tojo]

Where is the Gray Partridge in all of this there used to be covey upon covey when I was young now you hardly see them because of intensive farming to feed all the lardy kids cramming their faces with burgers at a couple of well known junk food establishments that are popping up on every corner.....

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Why is there no Shite Hawk to vote for

 

[SteCenturion]

Peregrine Falcon...

end thread.

 

[AndyRM]

Peregrine Falcon...

end thread.

The UAE have got dibs on it.

 

[SteCenturion]

The UAE have got dibs on it.

feck 'em....

we will take it back...

a la Malvenas

 

[Paulus]

Am I the only one to vote for the Red Kite?

 

[Hitchington]

Orville

 

[BrumJim]

Am I the only one to vote for the Red Kite?

Was sorely tempted, but swayed by the friendly robin.

 

[AndyRM]

feck 'em....

we will take it back...

a la Malvenas

The peregrine falcon is the national animal of the United Arab Emirates. Since 1927, the peregrine falcon has been the official mascot of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. The 2007 U.S. Idahostate quarter features a peregrine falcon. The peregrine falcon has been designated the official city bird of Chicago.



A war on four fronts could be disastrous!

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Has to be the robin, a cheeky and territorial little bugger.

GC