Blackbird (Turdus merula) and four other members of the Thrush family: Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos), Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris), Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) and Redwing (Turdus iliacus) are seen on the wildlife site.
The bold and friendly Blackbird is a common garden bird. They are ever-present in Downlee Lodge garden, feeding on insects, seeds on the ground, berries in the orchard and worms on the lawn. They are seen and heard in the wooded field corners and hedgerows h1, h2, h3 where they feed and nest. Their mellow song, from perches in tall treetops around Downlee Lodge, is particularly delightful on spring and early summer evenings. Not all Blackbirds are black, the female is brown, as also are juveniles, which have a more pronounced speckled breast, making it easier to recognize the Blackbird as a member of the Thrush family.
The Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) is a delightful songbird of the highest level of conservation concern. It is Red Listed and a subject of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Single Song Thrushes are sometimes observed in the hedgerows around Downlee Lodge and singing from treetops there. They breed nearby.
The Mistle Thrush is larger than the Song Thrush and has larger spots and a paler head. It is seen occasionally feeding in the open fields, Fields 1, 2, 5, alone or in small groups. It is a Red Listed species of Conservation Concern.
The Fieldfare bears some resemblance to the Mistle Thrush but has a grey head and rump. They visit the Wildlife site in large flocks in winter, feeding in Fields 1, 2, 5 and from berries in Hedgerows h1, h2, h3 and resting in the tree tops. They are Red Listed because they very rarely breed in this country.
Redwing are smaller than the other thrushes and have distinctive pale eye stripes, as well as red flanks and underwings. They also are winter visitors, feeding in large numbers often with the Fieldfare. Very few breed in this country and they are Red listed.
Photographs of Blackbird and Thrushes
Click on the photograph for larger images and captions.
Further Information
For further information on the species in this group, please click the links below:
Blackbird Song Thrush Mistle Thrush Fieldfare Redwing
