Protected birds
Barn Owl
Habitat: farmland, grassland. The barn owl is the most common owl and is found in most parts of the world. It has seen a huge decline in Europe in recent years. They are ghostly pale and strictly nocturnal. They specialize in hunting animals on the ground, primarily small mammals. Barn owls mate for life unless one of the pair is killed.
Hen harrrier
Habitat: tundra, moorland, plains, grassland. The Hen Harrier is the most intensely persecuted of all the UK's birds of prey. It once preyed on free-range fowl, which gave it its present name. But, in recent times, its effect on the number of grouse available to shoot has lead to conflict and a threat to its survival in some parts of the UK.
Yellow hammmer
Habitat: dry, open country. The yellowhammer is a large bunting with a yellow head and a streaked brown back. Yellowhammers hide their nests in low bushes to prevent nest predation. It is closely related to the pine bunting and will interbreed. Their songs also sound almost identical to each other.
Curlew
Habitat: moorland, grassland, bogs. The Curlew is the largest European wading bird, found on estuaries in winter and moors in summer. Look for its down-curved bill, brown upperparts, long legs and listen for its evocative, bubbling, call.