Tag Archives: Birdsound

Bird sounds in the night!

Hello,

Well, my winter visitors are starting to arrive. Firstly, as expected Redwings, the Northern invaders have been passing overhead in small numbers, locally. Some will have already been spotted feeding in berry bushes or on the ground, but my sightings have been sound sightings. Also noted, just recently, coming from the night skies, were ringing calls. These were being emitted by passing Golden Plovers, again being birds from afar, they may have landed locally at some stage, but to me, it matters not. When you have learnt bird sounds, so confidently as I have, one can sometimes become carefree about even attempting to spot the birds. Early this morning, well before sunrise, further Redwings were witnessed and the local Tawny Owls were heard hooting. Not bad, considering all these events come from suburbia and besides we’ve all been too busy, anyhow.

All in all, there’s currently a lot of action in the avian world and the natural world in general. This largely, being due to the diminishing day length, with today (14th October) boasting only 10 hours 49 minutes according to my wonderful weather station.

TTFN

Tony Powell

Winter Thrushes

The Northern Thrushes will soon be upon us all.

Redwings, looking like Song Thrushes are slightly smaller than their cousins and are general non-breeders in the UK, having visited our shores from places much further north. They have a distinctive “tseeep” high pitched call which pierces the still night skies of early autumn. So, if you’re outside star-gazing, October is the time to listen for the thin whistle of a call.

Fieldfares, bigger than Redwings, are also foreign invaders and should arrive slightly later than the Redwings. They are very attractive looking, with their scarlet, brown and grey backs and mottled underparts. In size, they are about that of the Mistle Thrushes.

My average arrival date for Redwing is 11th October, based on a 15 date sample. Fieldfare, returns an average arrival date of 3rd November, based on a 14 date sample.

My main reason for the post this early being that the NW winds projected for this Wednesday/Thursday (5th & 6th) should produce the first decent movement of these Thrushes, particularly for Northern Britain.

Eyes to the skies.

Cheers

Tony Powell