Phoenix Park
After work today I drove over to Phoenix park. There’s been talk about the arrival of Redwings and I wondered if I’d see any in the park.
What I saw was even better!
A Fieldfare. Were they here this early last year?
A sure sign of winter - Fieldfare, Phoenix park, 12th October 2010.
If you thought it was too early for a Fieldfare, I think I saw about 20 possible Swallows flying around this evening in the park. How’s that for a clash of seasons?
Juv Swallow or Housemartin, it was difficult to tell. October 12th, 2010.
Mistle Thrush in the grass.
Larger and greyer than a Song Thrush. Key to Mistle Thrush id is the white underwing which you can just make out.
Redwing or Fieldfare? If that's a white underwing then it's a Fieldfare, but it was seemed too small. This bird was in a flock of about 10 which flew above my head. I did see some Redwings but didn't get a photo of any (unless this is one)
Before you look at next photo, you should try and work out what's hiding in the grass..
There were a couple of Jays flitting around, they were too far away for a decent photo though.
6.45pm, would you adam and eve it
And already time to head home.
All in all a very quick hour of birding – but amazed I saw a Fieldfare and it was really nice to see the Jays and Redwings.
Have yet to see a Fieldfare this autumn saw lots of Redwings and song thrushes on inishbofin in the last week.
It’s a swallow not housemartin.
Siobhan it is a juvenile Swallow because of short tail streamers and also if you look at the comparison of Housemartin and Swallow you will notice with Housemartin it has a dark head but its chin and throat is either dusky or white. In your photograph you can see the neck is dark pointing to Swallow.