BIRD NEWS:174

The books agree that their nests are made of grass, moss, hair and wool and that they are countryside birds inhabiting hedgerows.

They eat seeds and weeds, which I have observed is still true in 2016, as well as insects and berries. Apparently, the yellowhammer is common all across Europe - or was when these books were written.

My third bird guide book is also from the mid 1980's. It classes the yellowhammer as a bunting family member, rather than finch, though. It says it is similar to the pine bunting - Emberiza leucocephala. This book agrees that country hedgerows are the most common grounds for sighting, but suggests they also frequent farmlands and open woodland in winter - but not towns or even villages such as where we are situated.

This third book adds grains and small animals to the fodder choices, though I am uncertain how it could eat a small animal unless they mean something as small as a snail or young frog.

Apparently, the yellowhammer female sits on the eggs for almost 2 weeks, followed by a further fortnight before the young are ready to fledge. This would mean that the breeding season has shifted around 3-6 weeks earlier than when these books were written.