Eyam Ornithology

We are familiar with the garden birds that come to feed from our bird tables. Most evident are the tits, the Blue Tit being especially numerous, followed by the Great Tit and the occasional Coal Tit. We also have the popular Robin and House Sparrow, but the Tree Sparrow has become very rare. Finches soon appear if there are any seeds around: most common is the Chaffinch, but there are also Greenfinches, and more rarely Goldfinches. The Bullfinch hasn't been seen for some time here in Eyam, and the Songthrush and Mistlethrush have also become depleted over the years.

The crows are represented by the many Rooks which nest in the trees of the churchyard, but the plundering Magpie and the Jay have become more common. Occasionally we may see the colourful Spotted Woodpecker.

Around and above Eyam on moors and fields are many other birds, including Curlew, Grouse, Kestrel, Lapwing, Linnet, Meadow Pipit and Pheasant. There are also our winter visitors - Fieldfare and Redwing. Sadly, the skylark is almost a rarity, but some remember clouds of them high above with their distinctive song.

Sparrow-Hawks soar high over their nesting woods, and it is startling to see one flash past like a yellow streak skimming low after its prey. They are not popular with pigeon fanciers! A resident of Eyam has some 60 racing pigeons, who home their way back to Eyam from as far away as Saintes in France, some 532 miles away, meeting various hazards on the way including hawks. There are old (now empty) pigeon lofts in Eyam; at Eyam House, where the pigeons were used mainly for food, and at Town Head, whose pigeons carried messages to Macclesfield in connection with the silk trade.

Another resident has a large pond, and has had Mallard, Grey Herons, and Yellow and Grey Wagtails visiting.

Our first Spring visitors are the Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, though it is the Swallows' arrival that makes us think of spring. Other birds also arrive to nest and stay for the summer, such as the Cuckoo, House Martin and Swift (very distinctive with their long pointed wings), Redstart, Blackcap, and Spotted Flycatcher.

A favourite is the Owl. We may see (or more likely hear) Tawny Owls and Little Owls, but the Barn Owl is now very scarce nationally.