The big freeze continues into 2010 and at the time of writing (9th January) looks set to continue. This means particular hardship for the birds at Willsbridge, but I have noticed that walkers are once again dropping food on the wooden posts at the north-eastern end of the reserve. I'm sure it's a welcome addition to the birds' regular forage to top up their carbohydrate intake and keep them fit and well. Bluetits and great tits love peanuts, swooping down to grab one then flying to a safe place to peck away at it with relish. Robins are well known for loving mealworms but will take grass and other seeds at a pinch as well.
One effect of the cold weather is to send large numbers of winter thrushes to the west country, so look out for fieldfares and redwings feeding on berries in the Longwell Green area. There was a mixed flock of around 20 birds feeding on berries in tall shrubs alongside Woodward Drive on 7th January, and there were also two or three redwings in Catscliffe Wood at Willsbridge, joining a resident songthrush and blackbird, foraging amongst dead leaves and ivy.
A redwing. A winter thrush that visits southern counties in large numbers during hard winters. Note the pale eye-stripe and the reddish underwing. Once they have found a source of berries they will remain, voraciously consuming them until they are gone then moving on. So if you see them, make the most of it!
.
Fieldfares often accompany redwings in winter visits to this country. It is a very handsome bird, a little larger than the redwing. Note the slate grey head. Another nomadic feeder that can be rather shy, so I was chuffed to bits to capture this one.
.
Wrens suffer real hardship during cold winters. Sadly, many won't make it. The species relies on large broods to recover those lost in such winters as the current one. The delightful individual right was snapped in Willsbridge today (9th Jan).
