Hello, since getting in to birding about a year ago I have had a thing about Fieldfares and I'm desperate to see one! Last winter I saw lots of Redwings but no Fieldfares so I have been so looking forward to this autumn's migration. The title of this post says it all really. Have any Fieldfares been spotted on or by the reserve yet and do you usually get many? Looking forward to seeing my first one!
Many thanks! :)
Galatas, thanks, I wasn't aware there was a private messaging system either - so I have now put in a friend request.
Skyelark, yes it was a good day - as soon as I arrived I was told to get straight down to the river - goosander, and 3 Slavonian grebes! There were redwings and fieldfare by the hundred, so many flying back and forth you had to look twice to check they weren't flocks of starlings! Hopefully, if they haven't stripped all the berries they will be around a bit longer yet.
Fingers crossed they stay for longer. They do look very much like Starlings in flight don't they? It's even worse on a dull day and you can't see the plummage very well.
They are quite a different shape in flight to starlings, but when you see so many you just assume it's a flock of starlings and have to do a double take.
Hello I just wanted to thank everyone who contributed here last year for your advice and information. I learnt so much about Fieldfares last year and I've been on tenderhooks waiting for their arrival for weeks now! I've read some sightings of them at the reserve already this year. Ooh isn't autumn migration fantastic? Happy birthday for today Dawn!
Thanks Skyelark. I haven't seen any fieldfares yet this year either, I'm sure they will be arriving soon though.
They are here. Saw my first one of the autumn this morning from the visitor centre window, followed by at least another couple of dozen or so, (with a few redwings mixed in) flying in small groups between trees in the woodland.
Good morning altogether, geese arriving in large numbers too, mainly greylag and canada, there was a short eared owl being mobbed by some crows and we then watched a marsh harrier hunting. Time to dust off the winter gear and get yourself out there.
Awe fab news! I was there last Thursday and saw just the one in the woodland.