Thrush-sized Birds

[watchman]

Every year at this time, we see flocks of thrush sized birds moving through our area - central scotland. Problem is, they're very shy, always on the move and difficult to pin down. They are brownish grey and I think they may have a russet flash on the underwing. We never see them except at this time.

What are they ? Fieldfares (although I think they overwinter in the UK) Any ideas anyone ?

[wildone]

More likely Redwing if they have a russet flash to the underwing. They are smaller than Fieldfares which are greyish brown on the back and have a white underwing area. Sure they are not Song Thrushes which migrate from the continent at this time of year, and also have a reddish underwing flash.

[GuyF]

Hi watchman and welcome to the site.
Your birds will almost certainly be either Redwings or Fieldfares, both of which are mainly winter visitors to the UK.
I think they're probably Redwings, here's a shot from the Gallery by SteveHL.

And as a comparison, here's a Fieldfare, which are larger birds, by Neil.

Guy

[paulchandler6]

I'd agree they are probably Redwing. They show a reddish/russet flash.
Song Thrush which are also moving in to join our resident ones show a more buffish/russet flash. Whereas Fieldfare are larger and show a whitish flash on the underwing.
Try to get familiar with the calls and that should sort them out.

Paul

[jakdaw]

I'll go for redwings too watchman

[watchman]

Thanks folks - that's what we've narrowed it down to (they're not songthrushes).

They're mainly silent and flit quickly from hedgerow to hedgerow, tree to tree. They never stay around long enough for us to get a good long look - and this seems deliberate - i.e. they're coy.

I would guess fieldfare except, as you would expect, the latter settle down in fields - I've seen large flocks of them foraging in meadowland. Maybe the ones we see are on the move to a suitable area where they can settle for the winter.

I'll try to get a better look at them - we usually see them at the golf course.

[Wild-Woman]

These sound strongly like redwing to me as others have said.

[sometimes]

If you say they're mainly silent I'd guess redwing too. In my experience you're more likely to hear fieldfares calling as they pass over.

[seamusagleann]

i'm originally from central scotland and can remember seeing both species there on the farm where i lived .my dad called them artic thrushes...seeing them was the herald of winter ....ah happy days

[Tam]

I'm in the central scotland area and been watching lots of redwing and Fieldfares lately though there does seem to be a lot more fieldfare around this year.