Glareolidae - Coursers and Pratincoles

This small family of waders is charcterised by slender bodies and long wings; the pratincoles also have very short legs. They are charcteristic of open semi-desert habitat in Africa, Asia and Australia. Partly to avoid the heat of the day, they are mostly crepuscular or nocturnal, as might be deduced from their large eyes, which are used to find small insects on the ground. They are gregarious, and often nest in small, loose colonies.

All the species that occur in Britain are vagrants from Asia.

Occasional Visitors

Cream-coloured Courser
Collared Pratincole
Oriental Pratincole
Black-winged Pratincole

BirdTrack migration blog – early spring

It may still feel like winter but for some species, the increasing temperatures and lengthening days have already kick-started spring migration, with birds starting to arrive and depart across Britain and Ireland.

Little Gull by Chris Mills | norfolkbirding.com

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Gull ID (2 sessions, Wednesdays 7pm)

The training will consist of two weekly online modules of 90–100 minutes each, complemented by supported self-study exercises which will be provided after each session. The training will be run by BTO staff members Nick...

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Biodiversity loss and the UK’s birds

Biodiversity loss is one of the biggest drivers of bird population declines in the UK. Learn what we’re doing to tackle this threat to nature and how you can support our work.

Glareolidae - Coursers and Pratincoles

Occasional Visitors

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