Winter thrushes, fieldfares and redwings, have arrived for the winter from the north.  Probably some of the blackbirds we see in winter here, thrush family members too, have also migrated south from Scandinavia. They are generally a bit bigger than our blackbirds but not enough to be noticeable. Many of our own resident blackbirds would have migrated south for winter years ago but with a progressively milder climate in this country over the last two hundred years they generally remain here now.

We have also had the pleasure of hearing a song thrush singing away from the ash tree next door in the last few days. Is spring on the way perhaps?    RP