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Durham Bird Club at 50


The county avifauna, The Birds of Durham (Bowey and Newsome, 2012) records that “A public meeting in late 1974 at Sunderland Museum and Art Gallery to discuss bird watching and recording was well-attended. This was followed on 8 January 1975 by another meeting and enrolment for membership of the Durham Bird Club began shortly afterwards.”

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We shall be organising various projects and events during the year to commemorate this special anniversary. These include a "Bird of the Week" feature, appearing below.

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Bird of the Week - Week 3

Redwing – A Winter Thrush to Watch For

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​​(Photo by Mark Harper)

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Winter in County Durham wouldn’t be the same without the arrival of Redwings. These elegant thrushes, with their rusty-red flanks and bold cream eyebrows, bring a touch of life to even the coldest days. They journey here from Iceland and Scandinavia to escape harsh northern winters, and they’re often found foraging in fields, hedgerows, and berry-laden trees.

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You might spot Redwings hopping on frosty lawns or hear their soft “seep-seep” calls as they pass overhead in search of food. They often travel with Fieldfares and Blackbirds, creating busy mixed flocks that add movement and colour to winter landscapes.

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One of the simple joys of the colder months is watching Redwings delicately picking over leaf litter or stripping berries from hawthorn bushes. They’re not as bold as some other species, but their understated beauty and gentle presence make them a favourite winter sight.

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Have you seen any Redwings yet this season? If you have, we’d love to hear about it!

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These seasonal visitors remind us of the wonders that colder weather brings to our county.

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E-mail:  durhambirdclub@gmail.com

Social media tags: #DurhamBirdClub #DBC #DBCat50 #Durham #Birding

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