SNOWY winter has arrived – Musselburgh looks stunning covered in a white, fluffy down. I cannot remember the last time we had such a fairytale start to the festive period and I am very much enjoying it.
With that in mind, there is also another reason to be excited– the winter migrants from Scandinavia start reaching our land. Some years are better than others, but usually when the Nordic trees and hedges do not bear berries plentifully, it is more likely that the birds will visit us in great numbers.
The three main winter visitors that I always look forward to seeing are waxwings, redwings and fieldfares. As I was lucky to spot all three the other week (one of which was in Edinburgh), I decided to dedicate this month’s column to my big three!
Waxwings
The waxwing is medium-sized bird with a distinctive grey-pink plumage, a prominent crest, a black mask over its eyes and yellow highlights on the wings and tail. Their body appears so silky smooth that it is almost impossible to notice the individual feathers.
These birds got their name from the waxy red tips coating some of the wing feathers.
Recently, I saw a small flock of four in Edinburgh and I am hoping they will come to East Lothian, as the last time I photographed them here was two years ago.
Waxwings are a grateful subject to photograph – as they do not see humans within their breeding habitats, they are not too skittish, which makes them quite approachable on their winter grounds, providing a great opportunity for colourful photographs.
Fieldfares
This winter, I succeeded in photographing fieldfares for the first time! I have previously heard them foraging in the dense hedges in Aberlady, but the birds were never kind enough to come out for a photograph! It always left me frustrated as the hawthorn berries that are their favourite would make a lovely wintery image.
Last week, whilst on the walk with my puppy, I spotted a couple of fieldfares foraging in the field. I decided to return with my camera and the next day I saw them feeding on rowan berries. I was absolutely delighted to capture one individual with a berry in its beak!
The fieldfare is a large colourful thrush that visits the UK. It is slightly bigger than a blackbird but smaller than the similar-looking mistle thrush.
Even though these two species may be a bit confusing at first glance, the fieldfare is quite distinctive – the birds have a chestnut-brown back and yellowy breast, dark brown wings and pale grey rump and head.
Redwings
The redwing is a small thrush that visits the UK in winter and enjoys feasting on the seasonal berries.
As their name suggest, these birds have a distinctive orangey-red patch under their wings (which other thrushes lack).
These birds are highly sociable – it is not uncommon to see them in flocks of hundreds, often accompanied by fieldfares.
Redwings start their migration at dusk, so if you decide to step outside on a calm and quiet evening, listen up for a plaintive ‘tsee’ call from overhead. Once you have heard it, you will know that redwings have arrived.
Last week, when the River Esk was frozen and the chance of seeing a kingfisher was little, I took my puppy on a walk through Inveresk village. The ground was so icy that I had to watch every step; instead of watching out for wildlife, I kept my eyes down the whole time. If it was not for the ‘tsee-tsee’ call, I would have missed half a dozen of redwings feeding on the rowan tree! Sometimes it is good to keep not only your eyes wide open but to also use your other senses when searching for wildlife
All three species often venture into gardens when there is snow cover, as they struggle to uncover the berries, or when the sweet fragrance of apples attracts them in.
If you are keen on hosting these birds in your garden, you can half a couple of apples and leave them out – you never know what else can come around for a tasting session!
Speak to you next month!
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