There are several British birds that lay only one egg during the nesting season. One of the most well-known is the cuckoo. Cuckoos are brood parasites, which means they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species. The female cuckoo will carefully watch other birds, such as meadow pipits and reed warblers, and when the moment is right, she will lay a single egg in their nest. The unsuspecting host bird will then raise the cuckoo chick as its own, often to the detriment of its own offspring.

Another British bird that lays only one egg is the red grouse. Red grouse are native to the UK and are known for their distinctive red eyebrows and white stripes on their wings. The female red grouse will typically lay one egg per year in a well-hidden nest on the ground. The male red grouse is known for its distinctive "go back, go back" call, which it uses to warn other birds away from its territory.

The stone curlew is another British bird that lays only one egg during the nesting season. Stone curlews are ground-nesting birds that are found in the south of England. They have a cryptic plumage that helps them blend in with their surroundings, making them difficult to spot. The female stone curlew will lay a single egg in a shallow scrape on the ground, where it will be incubated for around 26 days.

In conclusion, there are several British birds that lay only one egg during the nesting season. These birds have unique breeding habits and behaviors that set them apart from other species. By understanding more about these birds and their nesting habits, we can better appreciate the diversity of bird life in the UK.

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