My first fieldfare

Enogs · #1 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 07:54 AM

I have been in Somerset for almost 40 years and in Ashill where I now live for 15 and I saw the first fieldfare today though I chose not to feed at feeding station or from ground food it stayed in the garden for several minuets. Lone enough to be sure of it's identity.
Enogs.

pammosley · #2 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 07:56 AM

They are lovely aren`t they

I saw my first of this season a couple of weeks ago.

Astra · #3 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 08:08 AM

Yes I saw my first one in the garden yesterday. Really smart birds.
My parents live in Somerset and I know they've occasionally had them there as well.
The bad weather has certainly brought a few more birds in, a friend of mine on the Isle of Wight has just had a Little Egret in his garden!!

thebeard · #4 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

it stayed in the garden for several minuets

i didn't know fieldfares could dance?

...sorry

in seriousness, well done, i hadn't ever seen one until just after xmas, seen them quite a lot now and they are truly wonderful birds. wish i had them in my garden!

Natasha_38 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 10:34 AM

They are lovely, I saw my first pair yesterday. Have the day off again today so I'm off out in a bit to try & spot the flock of fieldfare & redwing I saw yesterday. There are still loads of berries on the bushes so hopefully they'll still be around.

Sprout · #6 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 12:20 PM

we've just spotted two for the first time in our garden too. they were there long enough for me to dash and get my binoculars to get a good look. had seen them in the distance when we were at slimbridge in the autumn, but to see them at such close quarters in the garden was wonderful - beautiful markings and colour.

Natasha_38 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 02:21 PM

Just been out & seen a huge flock of fieldfare & redwing. There must have been over 300. They were beautiful, the sun was out & I had my binoculars with me so was able to get a really good look at them. there seems to be alot of posts regarding these birds - is there more than usual this year or are people just noticing them more?

thebeard · #8 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

is there more than usual this year or are people just noticing them more?

my theory at the moment is that the weather is bringing them into closer contact with us, as it must be getting harder to find food in the fields. i had a walk today and saw redwings all around nottingham, on one of the busier roads in town, and in a public park. also the conditions in scandinavia are pretty terrible, though i'm not sure whether they're any worse than usual, but this could have driven more of these birds into our country

wyevilla · #9 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 06:52 PM

Three fieldfares arrived together in our garden on Wednesday lunchtime. Pretty soon they had dispersed around neighbouring gardens with one taking up residence in our's.

It has now been here for the best part of three days. It completely bosses the garden, chasing off the resident blackbirds and starlings. It is very possessive of apple cores which I had been putting out for the bbs and blackcaps.

Only the rooks seem to be able to displace it! It is also very loathe to fly when I'm pottering outside.

I have never before had the opportunity to watch this species at such close proximity for any length of time.

A bird with real attitude.

Enogs · #10 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 05:40 PM

5 fieldfare's now inhabit the garden at the same time of day. They feed of the ground taking crushed peanut and sunflower kernels as well as the apple we put out for the blackbirds the shoulder everything out of the way including starlings but I have tried to get photos with out success just a blur.
Oh well try and try again. Their time are very close to 9am and again at 330.
Enogs.