fieldfares and redwings taking over

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by 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...

Sounds like you're doing all you can Merrow - excellent to keep cats in. Provided the Redwing are able to feed, they should recover in a few days. Please make sure there is defrosted fresh water available. They will eat chopped apples, sultanas and pears. I agree, probably best just to leave them to it and not disturb them from this vital feeding source.

Any signs of a thaw and warmer temperatures yet?

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by nakedgardener

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!

Thats some good news at least

[Charles Halliday]

they are taking over bristol too - a lovely sight, but its sad to see birds looking so bedraggled. hundreds of them wouldn't be an exaggeration.

[Insomniak]

Originally Posted by Picidae

Any signs of a thaw and warmer temperatures yet?

A definite thaw here in Dublin, a lot of the snow has melted and now we seem to have a stormy rainy morning.
A definite increase in temps with promises of +11 or 12 by Friday in the south-west.

I'm seeing more redwings than fieldfares in the garden, and where I only ever had one blackcap, just yesterday I saw two together. Almost sure they were a pair.
The Redwings are hoovering up the fruit at a great rate, I've seen about 8 in the garden at a time.

This is the weather prediction for the next few days taken from met.ie:

Today

Heavy rain in the southwest will gradually spread to the rest of the country during the morning and afternoon; the rain may turn to snow later this afternoon over the midlands and on the higher ground. Today will also be windy, with strong and gusty southeasterly winds. Highest tempratures generally 3 to 5C, but will be milder still in the far south.

Tonight

Less windy tonight with further outbreaks of rain, also falling as sleet and snow in parts of the midlands. Lowest temperatures of +2 to -2C.


Tomorrow

Further outbreaks of rain tomorrow morning, but clearer weather will slowly spread from the north during the day.

Outlook

Thursday morning will be dry and frosty; the second half of the day will be cloudier with scattered outbreaks of rain across the western half of Ireland. Thursday will still be a cold day, but with slightly higher temperatures. There will be another jump in temperatures for Friday as milder air sweeps up across the country and values of 11 or 12C will be reached over Munster. Friday will get increasingly windy as southerly winds strengthen through the day. Generally the daylight hours on Friday will be fairly dry, or with only light rain; it will be Friday night before it starts to rain heavily in the west. And that heavy rain will continue on into the east of the country for Saturday morning, with a general clearance following through the day. The last of the rain clears away from the Leinster coast by Saturday evening and Sunday will then be a dry fresh day. The early days of next week will continue to stay dry but with a gradual return to cold frosty weather.

[Merrow]

stormy weather here right now, haven't seen any birds yet, I guess they're still sheltering in the hedges?

[Fritter]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Waxwings are very sporadic and can appear anywhere we have had afew on the east coast in the last few days alot of these have headed inland lately. Its hard to say where to go as they can turn up anywhere, even in urban areas. Regularly checking areas with lots of berry bearing trees will improve your chances

Well that sounds like good new for me as I live in the midlands.

Thanks a lot. I would love to see one, keep your fingers crossed for me!

[Gill Catton]

Poor little feathered bundles......... A tough old life

[Merrow]

I haven't seen nearly half as many of them today, it was so stormy in the night and lashing rain all morning so they may have moved on?