Lapland Longspur / Lapland Bunting
Calcarius lapponicus
Lapland Buntings are streaky brownish birds with hints of chestnut and black, and in spring males show a striking black face and chestnut collar. They breed in the far north (Arctic tundra) and pass through the Channel Islands in autumn, sometimes appearing along Guernsey’s and Lihou’s coastal grassland or open fields.
- Habitat: Short turf, weedy fields, and coastal edges—often seen feeding on the ground.
- When to See: Scarce autumn migrants (usually September–November), with occasional winter sightings.
- Diet / Food: Mainly seeds in winter, plus insects in summer on their breeding grounds.
- Length: 15 cm