Birds of Hampshire

Product Information

These birds are rather widespread in oak woodlands in the summer, although they typically stay hidden while they feed in the top leafy branches.

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey. Two species have been recorded in New Hampshire. Both male and female Purple Finches measure about 4.7 to 6.3 inches in length. They have a wingspan of about 8.7 to 10.2 inches, and they weigh 0.6 to 1.1 ounces. They are a bit smaller than most sparrows. Their bodies look round and chunky, with short, notched tails that generally point down. They have conical bills shaped perfectly for gathering seeds.

The melodious songs of the Eastern Bluebird and the vibrant plumage of the Scarlet Tanager are just a few examples of the wonders that await those who venture into the state’s parks, trails, and conservation areas.

It’s important to note that the blue color of the feather is caused by the structure of the feather rather than pigments; therefore, each particular plume is actually white.John Clark has drawn on his encyclopaedic knowledge of Hampshire birds (and birders!) to produce this in-depth (but impartial) analysis of the history of rare birds of his home county. Extensive research has clearly gone into the older records, in particular, enabling this landmark publication to establish a solid baseline for the current status of all Hampshire rarities. Ahead of the species accounts is a brief but fascinating history of rare bird recording from pre-19th century through to the modern day, charting the change from ‘procurement’ of specimens, to increased field recording, and ever-improving knowledge and technology. [...] Besides the wealth of information on all these rare birds, the majority are of course illustrated with a huge array of generally excellent photographs (and the occasional ‘record’ shot!) of the actual individuals, by an equally wide range of photographers, including some fabled old records [...] Add a generous scattering of Dan Powell’s characterful field notes for some of the numerous rarities that he twitched (or indeed found), and this is an extremely attractive publication" A detailed systematic list including many previously unpublished accounts of the discovery of rarities and an analysis of the occurrences of all but the rarest species. They have a rather wide bill relative to other sparrows and are usually found perching in open woodlands and forested places. The waxwings are a group of passerine birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. Two species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

The Hampshire List, tabulated below, comprises only those species in Categories A, B and C. Vernacular Name They will move south during the winter season when very little food is available due to leafless trees. The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses of the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. Two species have been recorded in New Hampshire.

Introduction

The non-breeding range of Purple Finches extends east and south of their breeding zone, throughout the eastern half of the United States. This zone runs from South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas all the way to the east coast. Purple Finches only migrate through the western Dakotas to move between their breeding and non-breeding ranges. Appendices listing escapes, ‘the ones that got away’, ship-assisted birds, historic records from parts of Hampshire now in Dorset and non-proven records. You will get up close and personal by handling and training a variety of our magnificent collection of Owls, Hawks, Falcons and Eagles.