Wrynecks

Everyone's favourites among the birds we caught were the Wrynecks. These are small, brown members of the woodpecker family, and they get their name from the way they perform a 'threat display' when feeling threatened.

Apart from their wonderfully odd behaviour, I also love the Wrynecks' gorgeous mottled 'cryptic camouflage'. They look just like big moths, which in turn have evolved to blend in with tree bark.

These Wrynecks will have arrived in England from continental Europe, on their way south to Africa.

Sunday's blip featured a beautiful Whinchat