Redwing, a berry-loving winter visitor, is the UK’s smallest thrush. This species is easily identifiable by the creamy-white strip above the eye and the red underwings to which it owes its name.

If you step outside on a calm autumn evening after the local birds have gone quiet, you may hear thin, plaintive whistles from overhead, which mark the arrival of redwings.

Redwings are highly sociable – it is not uncommon to see them in flocks of hundreds as they roam throughout the country.

Their main diet is berries and they seem to display a preference for some types over others; it is believed that this is based on the softness and sweetness of the berries.

In mild winters you are likely to see large flocks of redwings feasting on their favourites of hawthorns and rowans; however, in harsh months they may forage for fruit in gardens or urban areas.

Once disturbed, the birds will take off and seek refuge in neighbouring trees or hedges. Alongside eating berries, they also feed on small insects and mealworms.

Unlike other members of the thrush family which build nests in the trees, redwings prefer to build their cup-shaped nests on the ground.

The nest is usually well hidden in the dense vegetation and made out of grass, mosses and twigs.

Most redwings breed in Scandinavia and Iceland, with a small number breeding in the UK, most of which are concentrated in the Scottish Highlands. The population arriving here from Iceland appears slightly darker and bigger and it is treated as the distinct subspecies coburni.

Unlike many migratory birds, which remain loyal to their wintering grounds, redwings present a nomadic lifestyle – driven by food availability, they rarely return to the same place.

I have already seen my first redwings in Edinburgh but I am yet to find them in East Lothian this autumn.

Last winter in Musselburgh was fabulous! I particularly remember the snowfall in January during a couple of days I took off work. I liked every minute and, despite cold hands and feet, I enjoyed walking along the Esk.

At one point, I spotted a buzzard perching on a snowy branch (you may remember that photo from July’s column) and headed towards it.

As soon as I captured the bird of prey, I heard a familiar ‘tseep’ call coming from the hedges.

I knew the redwings must have been having a lavish meal as the call was getting louder with every step I took, but I could not see them.

It amazes me how difficult it is to spot these birds, even though they are medium-sized and always in large groups.

I managed to sneak inside the bush and, when I looked up, I saw at least 30 redwings. The birds were incredibly noisy and constantly on the move. The whole bush was bustling and I felt like I was sitting at the heart of a busy factory!

Until now, I found that experience one of the most challenging. It was not easy to operate the camera in such a tight space, with twigs scratching my face the entire time. I did not have a clear view of the birds either, but I could not move as it would spook them!

The low winter sun was already disappearing but, eventually, I did manage to find a gap and push the camera through. After taking a few photographs, I decided to head back home.

When I returned to the same spot the following day, the redwings were gone.

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