Unusual birds

If you are interested in birds, look out for some unusual visitors following the recent cold spell.

There has been a large flock of Redpolls this week, with up to 50 visiting nyger feeders along with Siskins.

Redpoll, Mains Estate, 18th Jan 2010

Watch out also for Bramblings. Several have been seen in the estate this week. They look rather like chaffinches and often mix with them, but are more orange, with a white rump, and with a pattern like scales on the back. The male has a darker head than the female.

Female Brambling, Mains Estate, 22nd Jan 2010

Fieldfares became frequent visitors to gardens all over the country, including the Mains Estate. These birds are quite common in the countryside, but do not usually visit gardens as much as in the recent cold spell. They may still be around.

Please let us know if you see any unusual birds in the Estate. We would love to know about them.