Yet another newbie in my garden but should it be here

[Madelinew]

From a distance I thought it was a thrush but looking at it through binoculars and it is without a doubt a redwing. I've only seen them in Scotland and my bird book says that's where they belong so should it be this far south? Is it migrating? And is there anything left in British birdlife to add to my ever growing garden list?

What made me look so much closer was that the blackbirds were ignoring it and they chase off any thrushes

[Dae]

Redwing are a common winter visitor all over the UK, and I do believe they sometimes visit gardens. I don't know if they're migrating out yet, but according to the RSPB website, their map shows their range covering the IOW.

[LynM]

I saw a couple in a garden around here before Christmas along with several Fieldfares. They are down here each winter, but it depends on the weather if they venture in to gardens.

[Madelinew]

It brings my total of new visitors this winter to 7. I've never had one in my garden before and trust me I am looking just about ALL the time. Very distracting when I'm trying to study

New additions this year apart from my redwing have included, siskins, blackcaps, bullfinches, yellowhammers, goldcrests and goldfinches. All in the plurals except the redwing.

Goldfinches and siskins have been attracted by my introduction of niger feeders but the others must be coming into gardens more due to the weather. We never get snow here and frosts are usually mild which hasn't been the case this winter.

Who needs a bird hide? Perhaps I should open my kitchen up to birders.....

[Pam_M]

Wonderful additions to your garden, Madeline! Hard not to stay at the window waiting for the next new arrival I would imagine!

I had a Redwing in my garden during the first real cold spell we had this year! It found the berries on a small Holly tree I have growing in a lawn! Lovely to see a smart bird at close hand. Well fairly close!

[diggleken]

Hi Madeline,
this thread about fieldfare recently is pretty close for redwing migration too, except that they are more common breeders in scotland, as you mention.
they will be moving back north and to scandinavia about now, but they can straggle on for weeks yet.
Hope it helps!
Ken
Fieldfares

[Madelinew]

Thanks Ken Will keep my eyes open for fieldfares now as well. Can I count the cuckoo I hear nearby every spring as 'in my garden' do you think? That would take my total to 40!

[Garden Carpet]

I used to see redwing in my garden when I lived in Guernsey... I had always assumed they came over from the continent when the weather was cold. Just shows what they say about assume is true

jaki

[chickenzown]

Whenever there is a cold snap on the near continent or espesially a decent easterly during the winter Redwings, Fieldfares and Waxwings can turn up almost anywhere in the UK, Esp down the east coast