The Wildlife of
Druridge Pools

 
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Thrushes and Chats - The Redwing

First seen on Monday 2nd November 2020 at Druridge Pools

Redwings are winter visitors, and are also known as winter thrushes. Although at first glance Redwings look like a bit like a Song Thrush, they have a very pronounced stripe above the eye, and of course the red patch under the wing that gives them their name. You could see redwings anywhere along the tree line at Druridge, probably feeding on one of the many berry trees. They can be quite flighty and well hidden though (as with this one).

They start their stay at the very tops of the trees for a while, moving from tree to tree as if they are finding out where everything is. Later in the season they switch to feeding on the berries in the trees. They delicately pluck the berries and toss them into their mouths. In late winter/early spring, when the berries have all been eaten, they move to the fields and meadows and become ground feeders, eating grubs and worms. Redwings have very similar feeding habits to the Fieldfare, and they often feed and fly together.