Fieldfares and Redwings

Astra · #1 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 12:38 PM

Having just commented on another thread that I hadn't seen a Fieldfare in years, a pair came into the garden and started on the Pyracantha berries.
I was soo happy!

The Redwings seem to like the berries too.........

Madelinew · #2 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 12:45 PM

Excellent Astra! My OH is currently sitting out in the freezing garden armed with camera and although the hanging feeders are still busy the ground feeding birds are a little wary of him. I did suggest he had a white sheet as a hide

Natasha_38 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 02:29 PM

I have only recently had a couple of Redwing & Fieldfare in my garden which was fantastic but have just returned from a walk & we saw huge flocks of them. The footpath alongside the filed is lined with hawthorn bushes so they have been feeding there. I can't believe how many there were. am definitely going out again with my binoculars to get a better look.

Shelly · #4 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 03:56 PM

We have had many fieldfare and a few redwing in our small garden today. The fieldfare seem only to like cut up apple and chase away all other birds. We have spent nearly all day watching them. This is the first time we have noticed them in garden. Hope they come back tomorrow. We live in West Sussex.

AndrewB · #5 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 04:17 PM

I had one apple left from last week which was quite firm (braeburn), but decided to cut it up and put it out anyway.

After about half an hour a fieldfare landed in the garden!

I also really hope it will come back again tomorrow.

Can also confirm they definitely dont like blackbirds!!

Astra · #6 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shelly

We have had many fieldfare and a few redwing in our small garden today. The fieldfare seem only to like cut up apple and chase away all other birds. We have spent nearly all day watching them. This is the first time we have noticed them in garden. Hope they come back tomorrow. We live in West Sussex.

Hi Shelly and welcome to WAB

I'm sure that if you keep putting the apple out then the chances of them returning are quite high.
My birds seemed to like the Pyracantha berries best. Sometimes I find the bushes a bit of a pest when I get spiked and scratched by them but seeing a large flock of thrushes enjoying them this week makes it all worthwhile!

Ida · #7 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 04:04 PM

I've had around 20 redwings and several fieldfares feeding on pyracantha berries in my small London garden for the past couple of days - which is a very exciting first for me. As the berries began to run low this afternoon, I cut up some apples and threw them onto my shed roof. These proved so popular that the birds continued feeding on them until it grew dark; so I'll definitely put some more out tomorrow, and maybe add a few raisins too, if I'm feeling generous.

Like Shelly, I noticed the fieldfares became very aggressive towards the other birds when feeding on apples, although they'd been happy to share the berries.

Lovely photos, by the way, Astra.

LRM · #8 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 04:39 PM

We had our first ever visit from a Red Wing as well, yesterday. At least the first time we've seen them. Yesterday there was one Red Wing, today at least 6. Seem to get on alright with the Blackbirds. They do alot of digging in the soil, under the bushes where there is little snow. The one thrush is very timid and soon dashes off if he sees movement in the window, but these don't seem too bothered and come right up the window. Unfortunately, the photos haven't been too good because of reflections in the glass.

Hoppingmad · #9 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 05:11 PM

I have not had any fieldfares or redwings in the garden but there are plenty in the fields and hedgerows nearby. I always know winter has arrived when I see them. It is nice to see them, they are such attractive birds.

Am quite envious of those of you who are lucky enough to have them in the garden.

LRM · #10 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 03:05 PM

Yesterday I mentioned that I had my first sight of Redwings in my garden. Today, something was chasing the Blackbirds away from food, in the front of the garden. When I looked out the back garden there was another one, also chasing the blackbirds and redwings. After scrutiny with binoculars and camera and bird book, I decided it was my first Fieldfare. Frankly, given their behaviour, I'd rather they hadn't bothered to come. Nothing was able to eat as they chased the other birds away from all the piles of food. In the end I put some food around the back of the laurel bushes out of sight of the FF in the middle of the garden.

They went away for an hour or two but I see they are back and still chasing the poor old blackbird and the Wagtails. I hope no more turn up or everyone will go hungry!