Holme dunes, Norfolk, 14/4/24

The Wryneck (a member of the woodpecker family) was once a widespread breeding bird in England, but is no longer a breeding species, though still occurs regularly on migration each year. It started to decline in the mid 19th century, but it wasn’t until the early 1970s that breeding finally stopped in England (though there have been a few isolated records since). However, it remains a common breeding bird over much of Europe, especially in Scandinavia and eastern countries from Estonia to Romania and Bulgaria. The bird’s Latin name, Jynx torquilla, is from the ancient Greek name for the bird, iunx, while torquilla comes from Latin, and indicates the bird’s twisting head movements. Old names include twister, writhe neck and snake bird. These all refer to the bird’s ability to turn its head and neck through almost 360deg, and the fact that when startled it can hiss like a snake. Their main food source is ants, and uses it's long, sticky tongue to feed on them.
Though spring migrants are regular in England, most records are in the autumn. The best place to find one is on the east coast, but birds occasionally occur in gardens far from the coast, stopping to feed for a couple of days before moving on.
they spend the winter in Africa.

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Großblumiger Frühlingsenzian. Gentiana acaulis

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Aylesbeare common

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Stack of 40+

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Red Kite taken in Gateshead

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