Sunday 3 January 2010

A Redwing in my Redesdale Garden

It's been snowing off-and-on in Redesdale since mid-December. The last week has seen the heaviest falls and there is as much as a foot of snow in parts of my garden today. Naturally, the birds welcome any opportunity for an easy meal and the four feeders are being filled daily.

The list today included a pair of Brambling, the first of the winter in the garden, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Robin, Coal, Blue and Great Tits, Rook and Starling. A heron flew over at lunch time. But the greatest surprise of all the visitors today was a single Redwing (Turdus iliacus).

I had cleared the snow from the steps at my front door this morning and put out handfulls of a bird table seed mixture I was given at Christmas and some peanuts, chopped finely in the food processor. It was here, on the steps and just under my living room window, that the Redwing appeared. It's the first I've seen in the garden since moving into the valley more than six years ago.

I took the following pictures through my living room window; I didn't want to open the window for fear of frightening it away.



12 comments:

holdingmoments said...

I bet you were thrilled with that visitor Emma. A good addition to an already excellent garden list.

Lovely shots, and all the better considering through a window. You must have clean windows ;)

Not sure I'd relish the thought of a foot of snow!

All the best for the new year.

Stewart said...

Its not looking too well Emma. Maybe you could put some chopped apples out...

Anonymous said...

That was a nice surprise and some lovely shots as well Emma.

Wilma said...

He looks a trifle chilly!

Emma Anderson said...

Thanks everyone. Thanks Stewart about the apple tip. I'll try to get some today. Certainly he seemed very hungry, not being frightened off like the other birds by my moving around in the house or passing the window.

Midmarsh John said...

Great photos Emma. I have seen one for the first time recently but it doesn't come very close, usually in one of next doors apple trees.

Nyctalus said...

Hello Emma. Great to get so close to a redwing - they always seem so twitchy to me. I've been pondering on the unusual things that turn up in gardens in weather like this since a woodcock dropped into my Newcastle garden the other day. Strange thing is that I have never seen brambling, ever, in 20 years here. Maybe they just don't handle cities so well. Keep the posts coming!
Regards, Allan

borderglider said...

Happy New Year Emma!
Wow that is a great photo - I don't think I've ever got within 30 yards of one in the hedgerows. I did have a Fieldfare which came into the garden briefly but it was shy as politician about his expenses.

Alcester nature photography. said...

Great shots.
Cheers Colin.

Tarset Shepherd said...

Cool pics Emma, quite a treat, have to say have only seen them on the wing so is nice to be able to appreciate a still study of them.

holdingmoments said...

Hiya Emma. Hope everything is ok with you?

kirstallcreatures said...

Hello Emma, I enjoyed the pics of the Redwing & have had the pleasure of a good number of sightings in Leeds too this winter. I hope you're well. Linda