Avian enthusiasts across England will be chuffed to hear that a rare and elusive bird was once again spotted in the country. Birders were treated to an unexpected sight last month when a seldom-seen woodpecker was spotted at South Gare, Redcar, in Yorkshire.
The wryneck, once a fairly common breeding bird in Britain, was identified on Monday, September 8, at the man-made breakwater and promontory. Although the rare bird used to be a staple of the landscape, now it’s only seen passing through the island during migration. Protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) — meaning it’s an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb these birds — the elusive wryneck is classified as a former breeding species on the UK’s Red List for Birds, earning it superstar status whenever it’s spotted on the island.
Unlike other woodpeckers — who are known for their untiring ability to hammer into trees in order to excavate nests and climb up vertical trunks and branches — the wryneck is the more relaxed cousin, foraging languidly on the ground where it almost exclusively hunts ants with its sticky and long tongue.
The wryneck population saw a sharp decline in the 19th and 20th centuries across both Wales and England, even though the species was widely found all over Britain prior to that.
With its exceptionally well-camouflaged plumage that often resembles a tree bark, the wryneck’s feathers are a mix of mottled browns and greys, perfectly blending into the landscape where it is found.
In today’s time, the bird has taken on a ‘rare’ status in Britain as it no longer breeds here regularly. Luckily, small numbers of the species can still be seen during migration, especially in autumn and spring, along the east and south coasts of England.
Historically, the Wryneck was known by names such as ‘twister’, ‘writhe neck’, and ‘snake bird’ — all referring to the bird’s impressive ability to twist its head from side-to-side as well as back and forth in a serpent-like motion, a trick it often uses to ward off predators.
South Gare saw an influx of local birdwatchers on September 8 when news of the wryneck sighting spread. Birding enthusiasts descended upon the mouth of the River Tees and it was Roger Simpson, a Northern Echo Camera Club member, who first spotted the rare bird.
Most likely making a pitstop on its journey between the higher northern European latitudes, its breeding grounds, and Africa, where it’ll be spending the winter — the wryneck was a sight for sore birding enthusiasts’ eyes.
This recent spotting of these sparrow-sized birds is a stark reminder of the wryneck’s fragile status in Britain. The chances of this species to reestablish itself as a breeding bird on the island are highly unlikely, however its occasional cameos in Britain highlight the importance of coastal habitats as feeding and resting sites for migratory birds.