Andrew Chick Ecology

In the UK, winter thrushes include species like the Redwing (Turdus iliacus) and Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris), both of which migrate from Scandinavia, Iceland, and northern Europe to escape colder conditions. Arriving in large flocks from October onwards, they spread across the countryside, seeking hedgerows, orchards, and fields where they can feed on berries, insects, and earthworms.

Redwings are the smaller of the two, easily identified by their red flanks and pale eyestripe, while Fieldfares are larger, with a striking grey head and rump, a chestnut back, and a spotted chest. These birds often form mixed flocks and are commonly spotted in rural areas, though they also venture into gardens during particularly cold spells, where food sources become scarce.

These thrushes bring a distinctive winter charm to the UK landscape, moving across fields and hedgerows in search of food, often alongside resident species like the Song Thrush and Blackbird.

A Fieldfare just arrived from Scandinavia!

Flocks of migrating Redwings!