Brockley Newsletter October26 - Flipbook - Page 14
October 2026
14
Nature News
Compiled by Bob Foskett
07925 521124
bobfoskettuk@gmail.com
Summer is just about done and dusted and many birds have already left in search of warmer weather
but soon, others will be coming in from the north. Fieldfares are seen in the fields around Brockley
every winter. Sometimes it9s possible to see Redwings too but there seems always to be fewer of
them in the large flocks of Fieldfares. Both species will feed on fallen apples so it9s worth leaving
them on the ground. Redwings are very keen on red berries such as Rowan berries
Fieldfare
Redwing
Another possible winter visitor is the spectacular
Waxwing. There9s a similar species in North
America, the Cedar Waxwing, and ours is known
as the Bohemian Waxwing (making it even more
exotic). Waxwings are also keen on red berries
such as pyracantha
We still have no Swifts nesting in church belfry but we live in hope! There9s a small breeding colony
in Gulling Green. Adult birds will not move away from their regular nesting site. There9s a massive
colony in Bury at St John9s church so what we are hoping for is to attract new breeders from there as
they fly over and, in August, migrate south.
The RSPB asked folks to stop feeding birds over the summer to try to stop the spread of various
diseases. They felt that the evidence was that while there was plenty of natural food available, birds
congregating around feeders and on the ground under them was a serious risk to bird populations.
With the colder weather on its way, they have suggested that folks should recommence feeding again
in October (ish!)
An attractive moth landed on our mailbox a few weeks
back. I lost the photograph I took but here9s one from good
old Google.
