Blogs

We've been inundated with reports of unusual garden visitors since the snow arrived. The ice, snow and general wintry weather that has finally arrived has covered much of the countryside making many natural food resources such as worms and seed on the ground impossible to reach. So what is a hungry...

With an icy blast from the north and east we have seen a steady increase in Redwing numbers this week with upwards of 60 or so around the woodland for much of the day. There are not that many berries left on the hawthorns which may become a problem but they have already been investigating the Ivy which...

I had a similar result, a flock of redwing and fieldfare circled the street but didn't settle at all. I didn't record them on the BGBW survey but I did enter the sighting on Birdtrack as birds flying over. I'd recommend doing the same!

Very excited. There was a big flock (19 max at any one time) of redwings high up on a tree just on the edge of our garden. Never seen them before and there they were just posing for the BGBW! Also saw our favourite green woodpecker who lives on the rotting apples at the base of our apple tree. Glad he...

Hello! This is my first post, just to say that in my East Berks semi-rural 120ft x 60 ft back garden redwings have suddenly become fairly regular visitors, after years and years of no sightings. In the space of about 6 weeks, we've had four visits, all groundfeeding, in order: flock of 5; flock of...

My stars were 6 redwings, only the second time we'd seen them in the garden (and only saw one last time). Managed to see two really close up on the tree just outside our bedroom window - beautiful birds.

Happy New Year everyone! We hope you had a fantastic holiday – we certainly did with lots of wildlife to see around the reserve. Plenty of our regular birds have been seen including long tailed tits , little owl , redwing , fieldfare , reed bunting , gadwall , teal and wigeon and Perry Lane...

2012 has started with a buzz literally as we have had a few reports of bees being seen already as well as butterflies. Despite the stormy conditions experienced across much of the UK, it seems the relatively mild winter so far for parts of the UK is disrupting the natural world. Have you seen any creatures...

A flock of Redwing have been slowly stripping the berries from a large holly tree in a neighbours garden. It has been really frustrating trying to get a decent photo. Out of 50+, I have saved a couple but they are heavily cropped and only really record shots. Today, three of the birds sat in a nearer...

The two Hawfinches from the previous post have now increased to a flock of at least eight! They are still feeding on the same blackthorn and hawthorn bushes at the start of the entrance track up to Nagshead visitor centre giving our visitors a very warm and exciting welcome to the reserve. As you pass...

The trees and hedgerows of Perry Lane are crammed with redwings and fieldfare feeding, a water pipit appears to have taken up residence in the reedbeds and the starlings are still treating us to spectacular displays – winter is well and truly here. It’s impossible to visit Newport Wetlands...

At least two Hawfinches have been feeding on sloes and hawthorn berries along the entrance track to Nagshead for the past few days. They are such incredible birds and high on many peoples must see list. It has been a real privilege to watch them behaving naturally and even having scraps with Blackbirds...

Some more rain over the last fews days has brought more pintail (ca.120) and black-tailed godwits (ca.50) to the site, to go with the many hundreds of lapwing, wigeon and teal. Firecrest(s) still present around the trail, crossbills still sporadically appearing on the heath. Many fieldfares and redwings...

A fantastic number of thrushes can currently be seen around Nagshead feeding on the abundance of berries. There is a small rowan at the back of the car park which is being defended by the Mistle Thrush below. The Mistle Thrush has a real battle on its hands, I watched at least five Blackbirds raiding...

Hi Just to let someone know i have seen 4 redwings right outside my living room window feeding on the red berries on my cotonester for the first time - beautiful Cherry

Looks like the robin is well on its way to claiming its spot as the most iconic Christmas card bird! Lots of good suggestions for other contenders, i particularly like the starling and collared dove ideas, you don't get that many cards with them on do you, shame as they would appeal to quite a few...

One of five Redwings seen feeding on Hawthorn berries at Wintersett.

One of five Redwings seen eating Hawthorn berries at Wintersett.

Redwing in north bushes

Good job! Goldcrests are one of the highlights of any woodland walk at this time of the year , they can be so confiding, its well worth familiarising yourself with their high pitched calls as its often easier to pick that out than to see the little fella's when they are high up in the tree tops!...

One of several Redwings visiting our garden this winter

Sitting in an orchard at dusk

Dec 2009. Recent visitors to our garden in Berkshire are 2 pair of Redwings (Turdus iliacus). We were visited by a pair of Canadian Redwings about 15 years ago, but this is the first time we have seen their European counterparts

Flocks of these very noisy birds kept flying over my head and eventually settled in a distant tree. It was difficult to get close enough for a photograph and this was the best I could do! Martin Down, November 2009.

It made my day that my effort of going out into the snow yesterday to put out food was worthwhile as it brought the Redwing into my garden which I have never see before.