Red Grouse
Male: The male red grouse is a robust bird, measuring 36-39 cm in length. It sports uniform dark rufous-brown plumage, giving it excellent camouflage in its heathland habitat. Its body is rounded, and it has a distinctive red eyebrow that becomes more prominent during the breeding season. This grouse is known for its strong, direct flight and can often be seen darting low across the moors.
Female: The female is slightly smaller, at 33-36 cm, and has more barred and duller rufous plumage compared to the male. Her colouring allows her to blend seamlessly into the undergrowth, especially when nesting. Both sexes have short, rounded wings and a characteristic call that is often heard during flight.
Moorhen
Male: The male moorhen is a medium-sized waterbird, around 33 cm in length, characterised by its dark plumage, with the body being a dark slate-grey and the head a deep black. It has a bright red bill with a yellow tip, which stands out vividly against its dark feathers. Additionally, its legs are greenish, with a red garter above the knee. The male moorhen is an agile swimmer, often seen dabbling in the water or foraging along the edges of ponds and rivers.
Female: The female moorhen resembles the male closely in size and appearance, making it challenging to distinguish between them based solely on external characteristics. She has the same dark body and black head, along with the distinctive red and yellow bill. During the breeding season, females are highly active in building nests and caring for the young, often seen gathering plant material and guarding their territory.
Common Snipe
Male: The male common snipe is a small, elusive bird, measuring about 27 cm in length. It is known for its cryptic brown plumage, intricately patterned with golden buff stripes that provide excellent camouflage in its marshy habitat. The male has a long, straight bill, which it uses to probe mud for insects and worms. When disturbed, it takes off in a characteristic zig-zag flight pattern, making a distinctive “scaap” call.
Female: The female common snipe is similar in size and appearance to the male, featuring the same brown and gold-striped plumage and long bill. This camouflage makes her nearly indistinguishable from the male. Both sexes are adept at remaining hidden in dense vegetation, only taking flight when closely approached.
Shooting Season:
Red-Legged Partridge
Male: The male red-legged partridge is a small, rotund bird, around 33 cm in length. It has striking grey-brown plumage with a white throat bordered by a black gorget, red legs, and a red bill. Its flanks are barred with chestnut and black, and it has a grey breast and belly. The male is known for its loud, repetitive call, often heard in the early morning.
Female: The female red-legged partridge is similar in size and appearance to the male, making them difficult to distinguish visually. She shares the same colourful plumage, though the tones may be slightly duller. Juveniles resemble adults but lack the distinctive head patterns until they mature.
Golden Plover
Male: The male golden plover is a medium-sized bird, about 28 cm in length. It has rich gold and black-spotted plumage on the back and wings, creating a stunning effect in the breeding season. Its face and underparts turn black, which contrasts sharply with the gold-spotted upperparts. This bird is known for its melodic flight call and graceful movements.
Female: The female golden plover is similar in size and colour to the male, although her plumage is slightly duller. In the winter, both sexes adopt a more subdued, mottled gold-brown appearance, with lighter underparts. This seasonal change helps them blend into their environment more effectively.
Grey Partridge
Male: The male grey partridge is a small, rotund game bird, about 30 cm in length. It has a grey face and throat, orange-chestnut cheeks, and a distinctive dark chestnut horseshoe patch on the breast. Its plumage is predominantly grey with brown streaks, providing excellent camouflage in agricultural landscapes. Males are known for their sharp, repetitive calls during the breeding season.
Female: The female grey partridge is similar in size and appearance to the male, though the horseshoe patch on the breast is less pronounced or sometimes absent. Her overall colouring is designed to blend in with the surroundings, aiding in protection from predators while nesting. Both sexes have short wings and a characteristic clucking call.
Ptarmigan
Male: The male ptarmigan is a hardy, medium-sized bird, about 33-36 cm in length. It is well adapted to its cold, mountainous habitat, with plumage that changes seasonally. In winter, it turns completely white except for a black tail, helping it blend into the snowy landscape. In autumn, it has a mottled greyish-brown head and upper body. Its legs are feathered down to the toes, providing additional insulation.
Female: The female ptarmigan is similar in size and undergoes the same seasonal colour changes as the male. Her plumage is more mottled and less vibrant, aiding in camouflage against predators. During the breeding season, both sexes are involved in nest building and caring for the young.
Woodcock
Appearance: The woodcock is a medium-sized bird, about 34 cm in length, known for its richly patterned plumage, which includes shades of browns, buffs, and blacks. Its upper parts are dark and intricately marked, while the underparts are lighter with fine dark barring. It has a long, straight bill that is ideal for probing soft soil in search of invertebrates. The woodcock’s flight is rapid and zig-zagging, making it a challenging target.
Black Grouse
Male: The male black grouse is a striking bird, about 53 cm in length. It features glossy blue-black plumage, a distinctive white wing bar, and lyre-shaped tail feathers that are prominently displayed during courtship displays. Males gather in leks during the breeding season, engaging in elaborate displays to attract females.
Female: The female black grouse is smaller, around 41-43 cm, with warm brown upper parts and mottled black underparts. She has a slightly forked tail and lacks the male’s striking tail feathers. Females are well-camouflaged, blending into their forested and moorland habitats, especially when nesting.
Pheasant
Male: The male pheasant is a large, colourful bird, measuring between 76-89 cm. It has an iridescent copper body, a glossy dark green head, and a distinctive scarlet wattle with a white neck ring. Its long, pointed tail is a defining feature, often held erect. The male’s striking appearance and loud, cackling call are characteristic of this species, especially during the breeding season.
Female: The female pheasant is smaller, about 53-64 cm, with much duller, mottled plumage that ranges from light buff to dark brown. This colouring provides excellent camouflage, particularly when she is nesting on the ground. Juvenile pheasants resemble adult females but with even duller plumage until they mature.
Jack Snipe
Male: The male Jack Snipe is a small, elusive bird, measuring between 17-19 cm in length. It has a distinctive dark plumage with a mix of browns and blacks, and its back is adorned with striking longitudinal stripes. Its relatively short bill is a notable feature compared to other snipe species. The Jack Snipe is known for its characteristic slow, zig-zag flight pattern when flushed, making it challenging to spot in its marshy habitat.
Female: The female Jack Snipe closely resembles the male in size and plumage, making it difficult to distinguish between the sexes. She shares the same dark, intricately patterned feathers and the signature short bill. The female’s behaviour is also similar, often staying well-camouflaged in dense vegetation. Both sexes display a cryptic lifestyle, blending seamlessly into their surroundings.
The Jack Snipe’s secretive nature and distinct flight pattern make it a unique and intriguing species for bird watchers and hunters alike.
Coot
Male: The male coot is a medium-sized waterbird, around 38 cm in length. It features a distinctive dark slate-grey body contrasted with a black head. One of its most notable features is the bright white bill and frontal shield, which stand out against its dark plumage. The red eyes and lobed toes, which are adapted for swimming, add to its unique appearance. In the breeding season, males can be particularly aggressive, defending their territory with vigorous displays.
Female: The female coot closely resembles the male in size and coloration, with the same dark slate-grey body and black head. The white bill and frontal shield are also present in females, making it difficult to distinguish between sexes based solely on appearance. Females, like males, have red eyes and lobed toes. During the breeding season, females are involved in nest building and rearing the young, often showing the same level of aggression as males when protecting their brood.
The coot’s striking appearance and territorial behaviour make it a fascinating species, both in the wild and during the shooting season.