Redwings fly into Alderley Edge gardens

Have you seen a bird in your garden that looks similar to a thrush but with a splash of red under their wings and looking like they are wearing a striped mask over their eyes?

My daughter and I watched 8 competing with the black birds for red berries weighed down by snow today.

Redwing is the answer, which is a true thrush but smaller than our common variety. They are a shy bird usually staying near to woodland but probably due to our blast of snow have decided to recharge their energy in our garden leading out of the village towards the Edge.

I did take pictures but they are so poor due to me not being able to get close enough with a short zoom.

The Redwing is quite rare in an urban area of the country so keeps your eyes open and please remember to feed the birds.

Think i saw some redwings in Wilmslow today. Next to the public toilets there is a tree which i think is a crab apple which still has some fruit on it. Two blackbirds and two redwings were feasting on the fallen fruit. I enjoy watching the birds in my garden but these were unfamiliar to me.