Yellowhamers

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One reason why I like winter: yellowhammers.

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Golden light and golden beauty. 
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There is no secret I feed them.

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Yellowhammer

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The Yellowhammer

by John Clare (1793-1864)

When shall I see the white thorn leaves agen
And yellowhammers gath’ring the dry bents
By the dyke side on stilly moor or fen
Feathered wi love and natures good intents
Rude is the nest this Architect invents
Rural the place wi cart ruts by dyke side
Dead grass, horse hair and downy headed bents
Tied to dead thistles she doth well provide
Close to a hill o’ ants where cowslips bloom
And shed o’er meadows far their sweet perfume
In early Spring when winds blow chilly cold
The yellowhammer trailing grass will come
To fix a place and choose an early home
With yellow breast and head of solid gold.

Image

Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)
Yellowhammer
(Emberiza citrinella)

The Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) is a bird around about 16 centimeters long. The male has brown back and bright yellow head. The female is much duller, and more streaked below. In the photograph above we have a female.

Its diet consists of cereal seeds and some insects.

This bird loves open areas, especially those with small trees. In winter form small flocks.

During winter, this is my favourite bird and during summer bee eater it’s my favourite one!