Having made reference to the robin that pays our Brigg back garden some visits, we later spotted a bird never previously seen in our small patch of little Britain. It was helping itself to some red berries that remain on a bush out back. It returned again for a second helping and we attempted photos through the window.
We will have to download the images and let our man Ken - Brigg Blog's ornithological expert - take a look to see whether he can identify the species. It looked like a thrush but was bigger and had some light blue in its plumage. I'm wondering if it might be a fieldfare, but seem to think they are birds that frequent farmland rather than suburban gardens. It was a shade too heavy for its perch on the bush but did manage to pick off some berries near to larger branches. Most of those berries that remain would seem to be on twigs it will be unable to access. So another return visit seems unlikely.
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6 comments:
Looks like a fieldfare usually seen with redwing in the fields in winter :0)
I'm no expert, Scribs!
But I agree with Sarah B., it does look very much like a fieldfare - blue/grey upper - longish rail with black tip - yellow/orange beak.
Its under-belly is like that of a thrush, to which it is related.
Try throwing out some fruit, like an apple...and it may return..
Probably the only time we will get a Fieldfare in our garden. There was a useful little booklet free with the Daily Telegraph yesterday about British birds. Looking at the picture in there of the Fieldfare seems to confirm we had a visit from one.
Scribs - it's unusual just to get one....they are very sociable and normally feed in groups/flocks.
Have a nose in nearby fields, or even gardens (although they prefer open spaces)...if they're still about, they could well be feeding on any berries hanging on the local shrubbery.
Keep tempting them with fruit (non citrous).....they're omnivorous, but seem to prefer fruit/berries in winter and meaty dishes in the summer.
However, you could try mealworms (from pet shops) ...if the fieldfare does take them, the robin will.
I took part in the RSPB Gardnen Watch this weekend . Basically you watch your garden for an hour and record the greatest number of each species seen at any one time , then send your results in to the RSPB .
I had very few visitors , blackbird, sparrow, collared dove , blue tit and great tit .
However , I certainly haven't seen a fieldfare or redwing your garden must be a wildlife haven Scoop .
If anyone wants to take part in the next survey logon to the RSPB site it is free to enter and you get a £5 voucher off any RSPB merchandise.
You are very generous with the term "wildlife haven", Gary. Time constraints during the summer, too much work (salaries and freelance) and total disinterest in matters horticultural means we let nature take its course for much of the time. Perhaps I should declare myself a farmer and apply for one of those set-aside grants we used to hear about. Are they still going?
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