Page 32 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

INTRODUCTION

WETLANDS

etlands include a range of watery habitats, from the
Wedge of the sea to lakes, reservoirs and lagoons,
rivers, marshes, and seasonal floods.Water means just one
thing to birds – abundant food, in the form of fish,
invertebrates, and plant material.Wetland birds exploit
these food stocks in innumerable ways: swimming on or
under water, wading into it, flying over it, or living in
the dense, upright stems of plants found alongside the
edge. Unfortunately, many of these habitats have been
reduced by centuries of drainage and some wetland
habitats and their birds are under serious threat today.
SALINE SPECIALIST
Greater Flamingos require salty water full of tiny
LOWLAND FLOODS AND WASHES invertebrates and algae. They sweep their odd bills
Wet grasslands with scattered pools are great places for upside down through the water to filter out food.
breeding waders in spring. In winter, the areas flood and
become magnets for waterfowl. Many of the
best areas are managed as nature reserves; by SWANS ON WET PASTURE
controlling water levels and grazing livestock Bewick’s and Whooper Swans are
the best conditions for birds can be produced. wild, migrant swans from the north
that travel to wet grassland areas in
northwest Europe each winter.
WETLAND FEAST
Flood plains and low-lying river valleys flood during
heavy rainfall. Worms, insects, seeds, and other
vegetable matter float to the surface or are washed
up at the water’s edge for waterfowl to feed on.

MARSH HARRIER FRESHWATER MARSHES
This bird of prey flies low over the reeds
Bitterns, Marsh Harriers, Reed Warblers, and Bearded Tits all
looking for prey, such as young waterbirds.
depend on areas of reed growing up from the shallow
water found within freshwater marshes.They build
their nests in the safety of dense reeds, using
the stems and leaves as nest materials.
Bitterns need wet reedbeds,so they can
catch fish without going into the
open.Bearded Tits feed on both
insects and seeds in the reeds.

REED WARBLER
Small patches of reed are perfect
for this songbird. Its strong feet
provide a good grip on upright
perches. It weaves its deep, cup-
shaped nest around several stems.

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