Redwing and Mistle Thrush on Newington Green
Redwing (Turdus iliacus) and Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus)
Redwings and mistle thrushes both belong to the thrush family (Turdidae).
- Redwings are on the Red List for conservation concern in the UK
- Mistle thrushes are on the Amber List
Although this photo is not as clear as would be ideal, you can see the mistle thrush in the foreground and the smaller, rather shy redwing, is hiding under the variegated laurel bushes in the background. The colours in their feathers give the birds such good camouflage that it is quite difficult to see them, particularly the redwing.
The redwing is the UK's smallest thrush and it will have migrated hundreds of miles to Britain for the winter, possibly from Scandinavia. The mistle thrush or 'storm cock' may also have migrated or may be a local bird. A pair of mistle thrushes have been seen feeding on the Green over the last three years and nested locally last Spring but the nest was predated by magpies.
There has been a flock of about 20 redwings visiting the Newington Green area over this winter and some people have also reported seeing fieldfares in the flock. The local rowan trees and crab apples were quickly stripped of berries and fruit by the hungry birds. It is good to see that these migratory birds are also finding the Green a useful resource in which to forage for food. They like to eat worms, insects, fruit and berries.
The holly trees and various bushes around the Green which produce berries, plus the areas where they can forage for worms, will have encouraged these beautiful birds to feed here.
For a clearer photo of the mistle thrush, click here.
19 February 2010
