Wryneck Encounter

Wrynecks are unique looking birds, a cryptically coloured woodpecker that has the habit of contorting its neck and pointing its head at strange angles.

After completing a fortnightly farmland bird survey, a fellow surveyor, Mike, and I headed to the nearby Church Norton beach to look for a wryneck that had been seen recently. This area of coast comprises a large shingle bank with scrubby vegetation along the top and towards the landward side of the beach.

After fifteen minutes of searching hunger was getting the better of me so I had to crack into my lunch. I walked around slowly whilst eating my sandwich; this did the trick as the bird then flitted from one bit of brambles into another bit of brambles, a short glimpse. I gestured to the other people looking that it was nearby.

We had a few more tantalising views until the wryneck flew around 30 meters along the beach. Once refound, it showed off unbelievably well, gradually working its way towards us until it was only 3 or 4 meters away. It was happily pecking around at unseen insects, even getting bits stuck on its beak. We got to enjoy every detail of its plumage for well over 10 minutes until it flew behind a shingle ridge. We took this as our cue to leave.

Due to their ground dwelling habits, camouflaged plumage, and the fact they now only occur in the UK on passage during migration, wrynecks are unfortunately quite a challenge to see. Mike managed to get the pictures of this most interesting bird that you can see on this page.