Migrant Birds

This course explores the fascinating world of the birds that visit Wales during the breeding season before undertaking remarkable migrations to spend the winter in warmer regions of Europe and Africa. Migration is one of the most extraordinary phenomena in the natural world, and this course examines the lives and journeys of around 30 of Wales' most characteristic migratory bird species.

Throughout the course, we will study each species in detail, learning how to identify them by sight and sound, and exploring their distinctive plumage, behaviour, and field characteristics. We will investigate where these birds spend the winter, the routes they follow during migration, and the environmental cues that guide their incredible journeys over hundreds or even thousands of kilometres.

The course will also examine the breeding biology of each species, including nesting habits, courtship behaviour, breeding success, and the habitats they depend upon in Wales. We will consider how different species use woodlands, wetlands, farmland, moorland, and coastal environments, and discuss the conservation challenges they face throughout their annual cycle, including habitat loss and the impacts of climate change.

By the end of the course, learners will have gained a deeper understanding of the ecology and behaviour of migratory birds, an appreciation of the interconnected nature of habitats across continents, and greater confidence in identifying many of Wales' most familiar summer visitors.

This online course lets you study from home while connecting with a vibrant virtual community of fellow learners. The course is delivered through Blackboard, our online learning environment, and any live sessions will be hosted via Teams. An optional field trip will provide the opportunity to observe a selection of these species in their natural habitats and to practise identification and field observation techniques under expert guidance. It can be studied as a stand-alone course, and it is also an optional module for the Certificate of Higher Education in Field Ecology at Aberystwyth University.

Note

This module is at CQFW Level 4