As we were looking through the Redwing flocks last week it was apparent that they were making sounds I’ve never heard Redwings make before. Sure they were making the ‘steeep’ and ‘gack’ calls we always here them make but there were some wonderful sounds coming from some individuals that just made me think where the hell are these birds from.
Thrushes are renowned for plumage abnormalities and we saw several. One individual initially seen by Andrew (top photo) must have got his pulse racing. Redwing/Dusky Thrush intergrade perhaps, or just another aberrant Redwing; who knows. Several birds in the flock had abnormalities.
Apologies for the photographs by the way – thrushes are not the most approachable of wildlife and these were taken at great distance in failing light.
Letter From Norfolk 