Birds

The heath land restoration work undertaken, including the woodland clearance programme and the introduction of grazed areas, has encouraged the diversity of birdlife on the course. The listing of birds identified on the course over the past two years numbers over 60, but 20 you are likely to see during your round, depending on the time of year, are:

BUZZARD

A large bird with broad rounded wings. Generally seen gliding and soaring. Resident all year round-nesting pair on the course. Often seen on the 17th.

COOT

All black with a distinctive white beak. Resident all year round and nests on the pond by the 8th Tee. Larger than its cousin, the Moorhen, which has a red beak and is also resident on the course.

GREYLAG GOOSE

The ancestor of most domestic geese, the greylag is the largest of the wild geese native to the UK. Resident in the UK throughout the year but a summer visitor to Hollinwell. You cannot miss its calling card!

JAY

Colourful but shy woodland bird. Resident all year but more obvious in autumn when they travel most in search of acorns and beech masts. Often seen in woods between 5th & 17th.

KESTREL

Declining numbers nationally but a common sight on the course, either hovering, or perched on a tree branch or telephone post, on the look out for prey. Resident all year.

NUTHATCH

A plump bird about the size of a great tit. Blue-grey back with chestnut sides. Can be seen on sides of tree trunks and underside of branches. Often on 8A and 9A. Resident all year.

SAND MARTIN

After wintering in Africa, the martins are at the course between March and October, now in burrows in the sand bank created by the side of the 14th fairway.

SHELDUCK

Mainly white duck with prominent red bill, black-green head & chestnut and white upperparts. Although found near water, it nests in hollow trees or bushes. Often seen on the driving range. Summer visitor to Hollinwell.

SKYLARK

Small brown bird renowned for its display flight, vertically up in the air. Will often hover while singing. Likes open countryside and is often seen in the grazed areas between the 10th, 11th & 12th. Distinguished from the woodlark, which is also resident on the course, by the latter having a much shorter tail.

SWALLOW

Small birds with glossy blue backs, pale underparts and long tail streamers. Summer visitor. Nests in many of the huts around the course.

BULLFINCH

Unmistakeable with bright pinkish-red breast and cheeks, black cap and tail. Declining numbers. Best seen on woodland edges- often on the 6th and 7th holes.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER

Striking black and white bird. Spends much of its time clinging to tree trunks and branches. Its presence is often announced by its loud call or its distinctive ‘drumming’ display. One has found that the sound carries further if it drums on the electricity pylon on the 1st!.

GREEN WOODPECKER

Largest of the UK woodpeckers. They have an undulating flight and climb tree trunks and branches. Also seen on the ground feeding on ants. Resident all year.

GREY WAGTAIL

More colourful than the name suggests with slate grey upper parts and lemon yellow under parts. Rarer that the pied wagtail. Found near the streams on the 8th, 8A and 9A. Is nesting on the course.

KINGFISHER

Small bright blue and orange birds. Found by still or slow flowing water- they fly rapidly, low over water and hunt fish from waterside perches. Seen on 8A and 9A.

LITTLE GREBE

Summer visitor, when it has a bright chestnut throat and cheeks. Seen on the irrigation ponds on 8A and 9A, but readily dives when disturbed surfacing unseen some distance away.

LITTLE OWL

Small owl, it can be seen in daylight, usually on a tree branch or post. Often in the grazing area between 10, 11 and 12 feeding on beetles. May often hear its larger cousin, the Tawny Owl, but unlikely to see it as it is nocturnal.

REED BUNTING

Sparrow- sized but slim with a long tail, the male has a black head, white collar and drooping moustache. When singing the male is usually perched on top of a bush or reed. Found on the reeds on the 4th. Resident all year.

TREE CREEPER

Small active bird. It has a long, slender, down curved bill and is speckly brown above and white below. Best seen on trunks of trees - often in the alder on 8A and 9A. Resident all year.

YELLOWHAMMER

Males have a bright yellow head and underparts and a brown back streaked with black. Often seen perched on top of gorse birch in open countryside- maybe on the 12th.