Quote:
Originally Posted by Picidae  Large numbers are also moving north from Continental Europe (as well as Fieldfare) into the UK then moving westards and finally to Ireland to try and escape the freeze but large numbers are arriving exhausted and weak. Redwing casualties are already high both here and in Ireland.
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Further news of the movement of Redwing and Fieldfare into Ireland from mainland and Continental Europe - copied from the Irish Birdnet mail alerts, link below - very sad plight but hopefully the weather will improve in a few days:
The Irish Birding List Hi All
I was in the Bolus Head area of Kerry yesterday, and all along that
stretch of coast in the morning sunshine were thousands of birds
flying in off the sea from a southerly direction. Thousands of
Redwings were arriving low across the sea and dropping onto the first
field they came upon, while others arrived high and fast, and mostly
flew on inland. Fieldfares, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds were in every
field, along with Lapwings, some Golden Plover and several Woodcock.
There were many flocks of Snipe arriving too, and some were feeding on
the road verges, oblivious to traffic. Virtually every field back from
the headlands toward Ballinskelligs and Waterville had Redwing and
Fieldfare, and often small flocks of Snipe. Totals for the day around
Bolus Head alone were 15,000-20,000 Redwing, 5,000-6,000 Fieldfare,
1,000-2,000 Blackbirds and Song Thrushes, 1,200 Snipe, 22 Woodcock,
200 Lapwing, 2 Jack Snipe and 1 Water Rail. Many birds were exhausted
and just sat on the ditches. I went over to the Hog's Head area and
near Derrynane, and a similar mix and quantity of species was present
there too, all arriving from the south.
-
Allan Mee was on the summit of the Magillicuddy Reeks yesterday, and
even there, were many Redwings and some FIeldfare (and a Snow
Bunting), while in Cork, I've heard 30,000 thrushes were seen in three
hours, at Galley Head.
-
Leaving Caherciveen this morning, there were many dozens of Redwing
and Song Thrush corpses along the roads. Redwing were feeding on busy
streets around the wheels of parked cars in Killorglin, and I was able
to pick up several emaciated birds in a short walk. With snow now
falling in Kerry, conditions for these unfortunate birds is worsening,
and I'm sure many thousands will succumb in the next 24 hours.
Regards,
Michael O'clery
and today:
On Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:17:57 -0000, peter wolstenholme
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Everyone,
>>> The news continues to get worse for redwings,
>>> Following on Michael's report of the huge influx of thrushes etc. on
>>> the
>>> S and SW headlands;
>>> This morning we walked out to Courtmacsherry point through the woods.
>>> 6 dead or remains of redwings through the wood.
>>> When we reached the headland the fields on the cliff tops,(free of
>>> snow)
>>> were covered in hundreds of redwings and fieldfares,(snipe and lapwings
>>> also)
>>> so many they looked like rats scurrying about. Some were so tired that
>>> we were able to pick up the featherwieght waifs.
>>> They almost expired in your hands.