
WiveyBirds is a group of like-minded people interested in birds. Whilst the Group was initially set up in 2019 by some experienced birders wanting to find out more about the birds in our area, it is a group very much open to anyone remotely interested in birds and wildlife in general. It is a friendly and educational Group and we use WhatsAPP to share sightings, photos and birding information to help each other identify birds we have seen and learn about them. Although the focus is mainly on birds, people in the group are welcome to share anything they feel will be of interest to the group so other wildlife regularly features on the Group.
As the number of people looking and sharing information has grown, we have discovered an amazing variety of birds within our patch, including some national rarities. In total, 132 species have been recorded in the last 5 years within a 5 mile radius of Wiveliscombe and we expect to see at least 100 species each year. For the full list of species spotted, latest sightings for 2025, information on local guided birdwatching walks and photos, please visit our new Notice Board in the Old Brewery site (opposite the Greenhouse and Yew Tree Antiques) which will be updated regularly with the latest information.
If you are interested in joining the WhatsApp Group and finding out more about the birds in our area, please contact Adrian on 07787 52224.
Introduction to Bird Identification
Identifying birds is a game of statistics. The power to apply statistics is enhanced as your knowledge base grows around a number of identifying factors. Identification is simply a case of using the factors you know to statistically eliminate the possibilities until you have identified with certainty what the bird is.
I have identified 10 main identification factors. For some birds you may only need to apply just one factor to positively identify it. For other birds you apply a combination of factors until you have eliminated all possibilities. When encountering a bird, just go through your knowledge of that bird against each factor. The more knowledge you build up or are able to refer to, the more successful you become at identifying birds but ultimately you are following a process of elimination and application of statistics.
Most birders will not have full knowledge of all birds for all identification factors and identification will still need some research and checking. When out in the field, an encounter with a bird may be fleeting but a positive identification can still be obtained by reviewing all the facts gathered later. Gather as much evidence at the time and think about each of the factors in turn. Most species can be eliminated easily leaving a shortlist of suspects which can then be researched and scrutinized in more detail.
For each species, build up a knowledge portfolio for each factor. The more you build up your knowledge and portfolio for each species, the easier it becomes to eliminate species and make a positive ID.
Birding is a thrill and near misses can be exciting but the ultimate birding high comes when you know with certainly what you have encountered. Arguably, there is no place for second place. If there is uncertainty and you have not made that positive ID it is not a tick and the experience is diluted. The more knowledge you build up and positive ID’s you gain, the greater the high!
Having help to ID birds is essential for all birders and corroborating ID’s again is part of the statistical journey. Birders coming to the same ID conclusion is increasing the probability of the ID being correct. The ID high however, is ultimately enhanced when, you have reached the ID conclusion yourself.
Little Grebe -often seen on Upper Grants Farm Lake
Birding Identification Factors
Appearance – what does it look like? consider key visual characteristics, colours, patterns etc
Size – how does it compare to benchmark species like a sparrow or pigeon?
Sound – what noise is it making? Is it singing, calling to other birds or making an alarm call?
Flight – what is the flight pattern? How fast is the wing beat? How high is it flying?
Behaviour – how is it behaving? Is it flitting amongst leaves at the top of the tree or soaring high in the sky?
Habitat – where did you see it – farmland, wood, coast, marsh etc?
Location – where in the country are you?
Association – is it mixing/interacting with other species or is it with more of its’ own species?
Residency/Migration – what time of year is it?
Comparison Species – what other species are similar?