Re: [Adastra] Redwings

[Ray Hamblett]

I'll add my little bit to this as it may help build the picture a little.
During the snowy period we saw the influx of Fieldfare as they descended on
our Hawthorn tree here in the North Farm road area of central Lancing
BN159BT for several days there were around 20 Fieldfare but only a couple of
Redwing, the reason became clear by observing the aggression of certain
individual Fieldfares, they consistently chased off any Redwing that tried
to get a share of the large red berries on our Cotoneaster 'Cornubia'. As
well as the resident Blackbird pair, which gave us some concern.
On venturing out to the supermarket we necessarily pass a fruit laden Holly,
on this occasion it was clear as we approached that theyre were several
Redwing feasting on it. Then to our amazement as we passed a whole lot of
them from with the small tree scattered on nearby roofs and perches, there
had to be 30 or more Redwing there. It was reminiscent of the Four and
Twenty Blackbird rhyme I thought.
As the snows thawed we took walk passing by the paddocks of the Freshbrook
road riding centre, and seen there on the ground beneath the old willow
trees were a hundred or so Redwing.
And to add to the treat we trained our binoculars on the Reeds area by the
riding centre and spotted a Water Rail on the ground near the bank of the
stream.
Further interesting birds in the garden have been Reed Bunting and female
Blackcap, and still present after the Fieldfares have left, a single Song
Thrush visits most days.

Hope this helps with the local picture

Ray


On 4 February 2010 14:39, <pennygr...@sussexwt.org.uk> wrote:

> For the first time in eight years, we had a huge flock of Redwing and
> Fieldfare visiting our garden over the snowy/icy period - they stripped our
> berry bushes over a course of four or five days. We also had a Meadow Pipit
> in our garden and a male Blackcap eating olives off of my olive tree, all
> new garden ticks!
>
> During a walk on the downs over the snowy period we saw a flock of 400+
> Corn Buntings, along with many Yellowhammer (90 I think), which is a
> phenomenal amount - there was a national press release about a flock of 700
> Corn Bunting in Bedfordshire, so we're not far behind in Sussex! Also a
> flock of 2,500 Sky Larks and 12 Wood Lark in the Adur Valley and great views
> of a brazen Kingfisher catching and eating fish in a ditch right next to a
> busy footpath along the River Adur. Apparently there was a Bittern in a
> reedy ditch near the River Adur for a while too, but we didn't get to see
> it.
>
> All the best, Penny
>
> Penny Green
> Species Officer
> Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre
> http://sxbrc.org.uk  | 01273 497521
> -----Original Message-----
> From: adastra-boun...@lists.sxbrc.org.uk [mailto:
> adastra-boun...@lists.sxbrc.org.uk] On Behalf Of tallent...@btinternet.com
> Sent: 01 February 2010 21:21
> To: Adastra discussion group
> Subject: Re: [Adastra] Redwings
>
> Again a bit late, but during the snowy weather 2 redwings appeared and
> started stripping the berries from the 2 hawthorn trees at the bottom of our
> garden.  The next day, there were 5.  Were the first 2 scouts?  The small
> flock stayed around for a few days, and since then have returned
> irregularly.  Interestingly, all the birds who eat the haws favour one of
> the trees over its neighbour.
>
> Back in the 1980s, we had 2 crab apple trees in the garden (sadly lost to
> fireblight), and during hard winters larger flocks of redwings(approx. 20)
> would come and spend a couple of days stripping the trees.  The 5 we have
> seen this winter are the first for many years - but this could be a
> reflection of the recent mild winters.
>
> Bev
>
> --- On Mon, 1/2/10, annie.sherg...@talktalk.net <
> annie.sherg...@talktalk.net> wrote:
>
> > From: annie.sherg...@talktalk.net <annie.sherg...@talktalk.net>
> > Subject: Re: [Adastra] Redwings
> > To: "Adastra discussion group" <adastra@lists.sxbrc.org.uk>
> > Date: Monday, 1 February, 2010, 11:50
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Small flock of
> > Redwing (about 12) on the
> > edge of the leisure centre grounds in Haywards Heath
> > ..
> >
> > Right on queue for
> > the Big Garden
> > Birdwatch and a first in 36 years for our small garden -
> > superb male
> > pheasant
> >
> >   ----- Original Message
> > -----
> >   From:
> >   Steve
> >
> >   To: adastra@lists.sxbrc.org.uk
> >
> >   Sent: Monday,
> > February 01, 2010 11:30
> >   AM
> >   Subject: [Adastra]
> > Redwings
> >
> >
> >
> >   Hi
> > all
> >
> >
> >   Apologies, its a
> > bit late posting
> >   this. During the periods of snow we had recently there
> > were several small
> >   flocks of redwing in the area I live, Portslade old
> > Village. (There were many
> >   flying over also). We even had them in our garden, which
> > is very small. I have
> >   seen them in large garden before, but a first for
> >   ours.
> >
> >
> >   We do see
> > redwing in my local park
> >   Easthill
> >   Park most years when it
> >   gets very cold and frosty. Interestingly, I di not see
> > any in the park during
> >   the snowy period.
> >
> >
> >   Steve
> >   Savage
> >
>
>
>
>
>
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> 207005.  VAT Registration No. 191 305969.   Registered Office: Woods Mill,
> Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SD.  Telephone 01273 492630
>
>
>