The Fieldfare
Today we spotted a whole flock of Fieldfare land in the trees at the bottom of our garden. They were feeding in nearby arable fields and occasionally took to the trees, and then back to the field. I have previously sighted one suspected Fieldfare, back in November, but thought this unequivocal spotting worthy of a post.
Fieldfare visit the UK from Scandinavia in the coldest parts of Winter there, normally arriving from October and heading back around February to March. When it is particularly cold or snowy (we had sleet today), they can visit gardens in search of easier pickings.
They are slightly larger than a song thrush, but distinguished by their grey head and orange tinted breast. They are currently listed as RED status with the RSPCA, so it was very nice to see a large, healthy flock of about twenty birds in the area.
(Fieldfare on the right, Redwing on the left)
I thought I was seeing things when a few redwinged birds were mixed among the flock, but apparently it is quite common to see Redwings (another exotic member of the thrush family and winter visitor only to the UK), joining flocks of Fieldfare.
(RSPCA Illustration)
Fieldfare visit the UK from Scandinavia in the coldest parts of Winter there, normally arriving from October and heading back around February to March. When it is particularly cold or snowy (we had sleet today), they can visit gardens in search of easier pickings.
They are slightly larger than a song thrush, but distinguished by their grey head and orange tinted breast. They are currently listed as RED status with the RSPCA, so it was very nice to see a large, healthy flock of about twenty birds in the area.
I thought I was seeing things when a few redwinged birds were mixed among the flock, but apparently it is quite common to see Redwings (another exotic member of the thrush family and winter visitor only to the UK), joining flocks of Fieldfare.
(RSPCA Illustration)
Comments
Post a Comment