This afternoon about 120 Redwings and half that number of Starlings were avidly feeding in the pasture adjacent to Canaston Bridge. Many of the latter were in the throws of developing yellow bills and this along with the lengthening days suggested these birds were busy putting on weight prior to departure. The Dipper on the nearby river might well have already started nesting, they are early breeders.
Meanwhile along a slow motorised transect around The Rhos revealed only four Blackbirds where there have been over twenty through the last month, suggesting some departure has already occurred.
