Redstart in March?

[Nicola Main]

My Dad said he saw a strange bird in our garden on Sunday. He said it was like a Robin with an insect-eating bill and it had reddish underneath all the way, it took seed from our feeder and then flew away. I gave him my bird book to have a look and he said the closest to it was a Redstart. I told him they were summer visitors and wouldn't arrive until April. Is March a tad too early for these birds? I have given him lots of suggestions on other birds including Chaffinch, Bullfinch and Linnet but he is adamant that the bird had a thin bill. Would appreciate your views on this

P.S. I have had Redstarts in the garden before - once a few years back and again last year in October when one was just passing through before migrating.

[Gill Catton]

well my book has them present in March, have you considers stonechat too? Though not a regular visitor to gardens or feeders, they are resident all year around. What are your surrounding habitats?

[Nicola Main]

Thanks Gill for the fast response. I did think of Stonechat but we are in the middle of town beside a main road and our nearest countryside is about half a mile or so behind us. I suppose it could be possible Our garden has had some strange birds in it before apart from the Redstarts including Yellowhammer, Whitethroat and Merlin.

[Gill Catton]

hmmmmm stonechats tend to hang around watery areas in my experiance so perhaps doubly unlikely to be in your garden.....

[chickenzown]

a redpoll maybe? they seem to be many around the feeders in north wales at present...

see www.northwalesbirding.co.uk :: View topic - Dolwyd garden takeover bid

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

well my book has them present in March, have you considers stonechat too? Though not a regular visitor to gardens or feeders, they are resident all year around. What are your surrounding habitats?

Strange as March would be very early for most, but no doubt the odd early bird may turn up as early as this; generally an April arrival. A few years back one was discovered not too far from me on Wormwood Scrubs in December which was present for a few weeks + possibly the first winter record for this species!

[Wild-Woman]

I've been informed of one just north of where I live by a very knowledgeable birder. So they are about.

[ChrisJB]

It does seem rather early for Redstarts to me. But then again, I usually see them on territory, a bit later on, so who knows.

Regards, Chris