fieldfares and redwings taking over

[nakedgardener]

Originally Posted by Picidae

The Channel Islands are also reporting a high fall of Redwing and Fieldfare

I can comfirm that.. huge numbers... especialy of redwings

Smaller falls of fieldfare, lapwings, skylark and golden plover too!

... We've had a thaw.. so we're frost and snow free.. so plenty for the birds to eat down here!

[Vimto]

Very far south indeed. I am assuming then that this is a redwing in my back garden in Ryde on the Isle of Wight, never seen them here before. Since the snow came we have had a pair of these as regular visitors.

[Insomniak]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

A lot have also travelled across to Ireland. With a big freeze over there too, I'm sure quite a few will have headed further west to their watery grave in a bid to escape the wintry conditions.

I, too, can confirm that.
I'm in Dublin and since the snow started 2 weeks ago, have seen both Fieldfares and Redwings in my garden for the first time ever.

I'm feeding them well, all the berries are gone but they're enjoying all kinds of fruit as well as some of the wild bird seed and sultanas that all the other birds are feasting on. They also spend a fair bit of time under the hedges in the snow-free spots rooting around in the leaves, etc.

It's a pleasure to see them, I hope now that it's thawed a little they'll stay on.

[NJ]

I haven't seen any redwings yet but I've seen loads of fieldfares around in the last three days and today I had some in my garden. As I type there is one outside the window eating an apple.

Unfortunately it's being very territorial and it won't let the song thrushes I've had around here come in the garden to feed, or any other birds for that matter. I've spread the food out a bit in hope that other birds will be allowed in but no luck yet.

[Merrow]

Originally Posted by Insomniak

I, too, can confirm that.
I'm in Dublin and since the snow started 2 weeks ago, have seen both Fieldfares and Redwings in my garden for the first time ever.

I'm feeding them well, all the berries are gone but they're enjoying all kinds of fruit as well as some of the wild bird seed and sultanas that all the other birds are feasting on. They also spend a fair bit of time under the hedges in the snow-free spots rooting around in the leaves, etc.

It's a pleasure to see them, I hope now that it's thawed a little they'll stay on.

Yup, we've had loads of them down here (south west Ireland) they are exahausted though - we've had lots that have just died in the garden/in fields

We've way more redwings than fieldfares; I've been digging up the beds in the garden and moving/emptying pots and stuff to try and give them some food...they are very aggressive and keep fighting when they find worms/slugs etc .

[Beekeeper]

I have not seen one yet this year in the garden, but i did have a Nuthatch on a feeder this morning which was nice to see.

Ian

[Susie]

Fieldfare were in my front garden today, which is the first time this winter I've seen them on the ground. I've seen plenty in the trees recently though. I've yet to see Redwing on the ground but I assume it is only a matter of time.

[mbaldw]

I had a flock of about a dozen fieldfare and redwings in the garden on Saturday hoovering up the remaining berries on the cotoneaster bushes. I've lived here in the middle of Southampton city for just over four years now and this is the first time I've seen either of these species in the garden.

Cheers,
Marc.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Picidae

Large numbers are also moving north from Continental Europe (as well as Fieldfare) into the UK then moving westards and finally to Ireland to try and escape the freeze but large numbers are arriving exhausted and weak. Redwing casualties are already high both here and in Ireland.

Further news of the movement of Redwing and Fieldfare into Ireland from mainland and Continental Europe - copied from the Irish Birdnet mail alerts, link below - very sad plight but hopefully the weather will improve in a few days:


The Irish Birding List

Hi All
I was in the Bolus Head area of Kerry yesterday, and all along that
stretch of coast in the morning sunshine were thousands of birds
flying in off the sea from a southerly direction. Thousands of
Redwings were arriving low across the sea and dropping onto the first
field they came upon, while others arrived high and fast, and mostly
flew on inland. Fieldfares, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds were in every
field, along with Lapwings, some Golden Plover and several Woodcock.
There were many flocks of Snipe arriving too, and some were feeding on
the road verges, oblivious to traffic. Virtually every field back from
the headlands toward Ballinskelligs and Waterville had Redwing and
Fieldfare, and often small flocks of Snipe. Totals for the day around
Bolus Head alone were 15,000-20,000 Redwing, 5,000-6,000 Fieldfare,
1,000-2,000 Blackbirds and Song Thrushes, 1,200 Snipe, 22 Woodcock,
200 Lapwing, 2 Jack Snipe and 1 Water Rail. Many birds were exhausted
and just sat on the ditches. I went over to the Hog's Head area and
near Derrynane, and a similar mix and quantity of species was present
there too, all arriving from the south.
-
Allan Mee was on the summit of the Magillicuddy Reeks yesterday, and
even there, were many Redwings and some FIeldfare (and a Snow
Bunting), while in Cork, I've heard 30,000 thrushes were seen in three
hours, at Galley Head.
-
Leaving Caherciveen this morning, there were many dozens of Redwing
and Song Thrush corpses along the roads. Redwing were feeding on busy
streets around the wheels of parked cars in Killorglin, and I was able
to pick up several emaciated birds in a short walk. With snow now
falling in Kerry, conditions for these unfortunate birds is worsening,
and I'm sure many thousands will succumb in the next 24 hours.
Regards,
Michael O'clery

and today:
On Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:17:57 -0000, peter wolstenholme
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Everyone,
>>> The news continues to get worse for redwings,
>>> Following on Michael's report of the huge influx of thrushes etc. on
>>> the
>>> S and SW headlands;
>>> This morning we walked out to Courtmacsherry point through the woods.
>>> 6 dead or remains of redwings through the wood.
>>> When we reached the headland the fields on the cliff tops,(free of
>>> snow)
>>> were covered in hundreds of redwings and fieldfares,(snipe and lapwings
>>> also)
>>> so many they looked like rats scurrying about. Some were so tired that
>>> we were able to pick up the featherwieght waifs.
>>> They almost expired in your hands.

[Merrow]

Yup, I'm in one of the place mentioned in that first Irish birding thing you quoted; there are hundreds round here, in every field, garden etc - not many fieldfares though.

They are utterly exhausted, we've had several just die in our garden and have had to keep our cats in all the time (which they aren't happy about) as they were just walking up and killing them. You could walk right up to them and pick them up, some of them just don't have the energy to run/fly. We try not to disturb them as it means they are using up energy which they just don't have to spare

There are lots along the sides of roads etc as well...it is so sad. We're doing our best to feed them but so many are still dying -- they stripped our neighbour's holly tree of berries within a day.

We've had extra snipe and lapwings about too, but more redwings than anything...