Digiscoped using Lumix FS15 and Kowa TSN-883 x30
A visit to Crown Lakes in Farcet near Peterborough to try and connect with a Waxwing. None about today, however there were numerous winter thrushes including the above Redwing.
These winter thrushes come to this country in their hundreds of thousands to feed on berries (particularly hawthorn) and other fruit. When the berries become exhausted they start to eat earthworms.
Every year a handful breed in Scotland, but the huge numbers come from Scandanavia and Iceland, with the Scandanavian birds wintering in southern Britain and the Icelandic ones staying in Scotland and Ireland.
A very beautiful member of the thrush family, which is a little smaller than the Song Thrush with rusty-red flanks and underwings, hence the name Redwing.
Greetings John,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting up these beautiful photos of the winter thrushes. And, like you noted, on a thoughtful comment on my blog, the berries are plentiful, this year.
Thank you for the added fascinating info to accompany this very thoughtful posting.
Wishing you a most peaceful weekend.
Kind wishes, Gary.
Don't think I've seen this bird but your description makes it easy to identify. Are they wide spread over the whole UK?
ReplyDelete(There was an error in the previous comment)
Thanks for your positive and thoughtful words Gary.
ReplyDeleteJ
I do try bazza, in fact some people may say that I am very trying! The Redwing is very widespread over the whole of the UK right now, just keep an eye out for hawthorn hedgerows and you should see a few.
ReplyDeleteJ
Hi John - these are beautiful photos. I wondered if it would be possible to use the second one as a reference for a drawing to be published on my blog http://whatidoisme.wordpress.com ? No problem if not - just thought I'd ask.
ReplyDeleteSue
Hi Sue,
DeleteMany thanks for your comment, very kind of you. Of course you can use the photo, all I would ask is that you put a link to my blog where you put the photo. Many thanks,
J
Hi John - of course I will link back to your blog here. Many thanks again - much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteSue