The first winter thrushes arrived back on the reserve at the weekend. Around a dozen redwings joined up with the mistle thrushes that were already on the new heath and could be seen from the path along the drive . Redwings leave their breeding grounds in Scandinavia and Russia to spend the winter here. They were no doubt helped on their long journey with the strong , northerly winds that have swept down the eastern side of the country.Earlier in the week a few siskins were spotted. these handsome, greeny-yellow finches with black markings like to forage in the pine trees, but sometimes come down to the feeders at the hide and on the shop lawn. So, winter is starting to make a presence, but two swallows skimmed low over the trees in the gatehouse car-park , where a chiff chaff was spotted and a hobby zipped through towards Sandy Ridge, so some summer birds are still around- for a little longer at least.