Species Focus - Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)

The Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) is the larger and more colourful of the two thrush species which are winter visitors to Wales. It is about the same size as a Mistle Thrush, but can be distinguished from this species by its blue-grey head, chestnut-brown back, yellowy-orange streaked breast and heavy spotting on the flanks. The remainder of the underparts are white. In flight, it shows a light grey rump and white underwings. The call is a “chack-chack-chack” sound, reminiscent of the sound of garden shears. It breeds from Central Europe to north-west China, with the more northerly populations migrating south for the winter. A few pairs breed sporadically in Scotland, but it has never been confirmed breeding in Wales.

The birds seen in Wales in autumn and winter are thought to be mainly from the population breeding in Scandinavia and Finland. Fieldfares are most commonly seen in flocks, either feeding on berries in trees and hedgerows or feeding in grassy fields. They can be seen anywhere where good food sources are available, but are not frequent visitors to most gardens. They sometimes form mixed flocks with our other wintering thrush, the smaller Redwing (Turdus iliacus).

The first few Fieldfares usually appear in Wales in mid or late September, with the highest numbers normally recorded in October and early November. Numbers are usually lower from late November onwards, as many of the birds move on, west to Ireland or further south. In years with a particularly good berry crop, large flocks may be seen later in the winter. Most birds leave for their breeding grounds in April, though a few sometimes linger into early May.

Please submit your records to the Cofnod ORS or the LERC Wales App.