They're Back!

They're Back!!

A sure sign of winter is the arrival of Fieldfares and Redwings.

These birds, both members of the Thrush family, can often be seen within the Parish when the weather is at its coldest. Whilst breeding further north, the generally warmer winters that we experience are their preferred home for the next four months. In fact, these wandering minstrels may yet go much further; often ending up in North Africa.

Both species can be found eating berries or gorging on windfall apples which have a high water content and are energy-rich with all their simple sugars (always leave some windfall fruit in your garden for the birds).

Fieldfares and Redwings are regular visitors to our gardens and are frequently seen feeding together. For the keen birdwatcher, or the pure novice, the Fieldfare is much larger than the common Thrush, whilst the smaller Redwing has a characteristic red patch on its wing.

If you're walking the footpaths in the Parish you will often see flocks of both species flying between the mature oaks which so readily characterize our locality.