Wrynecks are a small but distinctive group of Old World
woodpeckers and like the true woodpeckers they have large
heads, long tongues which they use to extract their insect
prey and zygodactyl feet; two toes pointing forward and two
backward. However, they lack the stiff tail feathers that
the true woodpeckers use when climbing trees, so they are
more likely than their relatives to perch on a branch rather
than an upright trunk. Wryneck get their English name from
their ability to turn their heads almost 180 degrees. When
disturbed at the nest they use this snake-like head twisting
and hissing as a threat display. This odd behaviour led to
their use in witchcraft and the derivation of the first part
of its scientific name 'jynx', hence the phrase 'to put a
jinx on someone'.
There have been seventeen Wryneck reported from S.
Gloucestershire in modern times;
2011: (1)
One was seen north-east of Horton along Vinney's Lane at
12:15 on September 16th around ST: 740 848. It was noted on the track before
flying into fields to the south.
2010: (1)
One was trapped, ringed and released on Northwick Warth, New
Passage on August 30th and was seen subsequently on
September 2nd & 3rd on the landward side of Northwick Warth.
Wryneck on Northwick Warth. August 2010. Paul Bowerman.
2009: (1)
One was seen and photographed eating ants in a Thornbury
garden at around 17:00 on April 26th.
Wryneck at Thornbury. April 2009. Alan Davis.
2006: (1)
An adult was reported on April 23rd in the garden of 7
Valley Road at North Common in Warmley, it was present until
at least 13:00 on April 25th in and around Valley Road and
Samuel Wright Close.
Wryneck at Warmley. April 2006. Left, Paul Bowerman, centre
& right, Rob Laughton.
2003: (2)
One was seen on August 31st at Northwick Warth near Grebe
Pond. It was watched for twenty five minutes in the morning
and was seen again in a hedgerow in the afternoon; One was
noted on September 3rd at Grovesend; One was found on
September 7th at Severn Beach.
2001: (1)
One was noted on September 20th at Tytherington.
1999: (1)
On September 7th one flew into a window at Awkley and was
fortunate to survive the impact.
1995: (1)
On September 8th one flew into a window at Oldbury-on-Severn
but unfortunately died two days later.
1989: (1)
One was found on September 7th at Yate and was still present
the following on September 8th.
1984: (1)
On August 28th one was noted at New Passage.
1977: (1)
One was found in a garden at Yate on September 1st and taken
into care at a bird farm but died on September 6th.
1976: (1)
One was reported from Severn Beach on August 29th.
1973: (1)
One was reported feeding on a lawn at Wick on September 1st.
1971: (1)
One was reported from Cromhall on June 20th.
1963: (1)
One was picked up dead sometime in August at Wick.
1956: (1)
On September 10th one was watched at Leyhill, in the grounds
of the prison and was still present on September 11th.
c.1829:
No specific dates are available but in the Alveston area
Wryneck was historically an annual visitor.