Some excitement this morning - never seen one before, but we have dozens of Redwings in the Whitebeam trees at the edge of the wood this morning, noisily stripping off the berries.
It's pretty dark - we've had biblical rain for a day and a half, it doesn't look like stopping soon, and the birds are hyperactive, so a decent photo is out of the question at the moment. They are probably passing through; if not I'll try again when it brightens up.
In the interim, here is someone else's photo. They are a member of the thrush family, turdus iliacus, usually only seen in the UK in Winter, it says on the RSPB site. It also says that they often forage in mixed flocks with Fieldfares, so maybe we have some other new visitors as well.
Changing climate may be responsible for new migration patterns etc? Might be a herd of zebra next the way things are going.
ReplyDeletePossibly some kind of environment change, I think these chaps are often seen up here - it's just our garden they've been avoiding. I think the zebras have missed their chance - the berries are all finished this morning...
DeleteHad loads of Redwings and Fieldfares in our garden last winter in mixed flocks. Nothing yet.
ReplyDeleteFirst time for us - we get all sorts, but there are a few conspicuous gaps in our collection!
DeleteI'm surprised you've not had them before - we often got Redwings down in Middx coming through in Autumn to strip all the berries off the trees. We've moved further north to Herts so this is our first Autumn here so I'll have to keep eyes peeled to see if they turn up.
ReplyDeleteWe have friends in East Linton (6 miles away) who get regular visits from Bullfinches, Hawfinches and Fieldfares, but none of these come here. Conversely, my neighbour over the wall is deeply envious of our hordes of Goldfinches - he hasn't seen any in his garden in 25 years. This could be something to do with the ridiculous amount we invest in Niger seed, but I don't mention this; just let him fret.
DeleteWinter is coming..............
ReplyDelete