Redwing
Redwing: The autumn migrant
Where & when to see them
- Redwings tend to frequent hedges, orchards and fields and often forage and roost in mixed groups with fieldfares. They do sometimes visit parks and gardens in harsh weather, especially those with berry bushes.
- As migrants, redwings can be seen across the UK from September through to March and April. A few breeding pairs have also been recorded in the summer in the very far reaches of north Scotland.
More about this species
- : BTO autumn arrivals
- : Redwing profile
- : Listen to the redwing
This autumn Chris and Kate investigate the arrival of various species of migrating birds including the Redwing.
More about the species
Redwing are the smallest true thrushes that reach our UK shores. They are thought by some to indicate the arrival of autumn in some regions of the UK.
Redwing are distinguishable as having olive-brown wings and orange-red flanks and underwings which give them their name. They have a light cream stripe above the eye and a creamy-white streaked breast and throat.
Two subtly distinct types of redwing are known to visit the UK: the larger, darker type which breeds in Iceland; and the Scandinavian breeders, which are by far the more common.
Migrating redwing fly to our shores from their breeding grounds every year, arriving in autumn in large flocks of as much as hundreds of thousands of birds, frequently mixed with fieldfares. Listen out for their high-pitched "zztseep" calls on clear nights as you may catch them as they pass on the wing, particularly across eastern regions.
Redwing are classed as a Red List species due to recent population decline.
More Autumnwatch animals:
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- For all the latest Autumnwatch content for 2010 visit .
- Autumnwatch 2010 starts 8pm, 7 October on 91Èȱ¬ Two.
- Share your autumn nature photos on the .
- Find out more about .
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