Wildlife and general news blog about the Retreat and its environment

A summer sighting of a female black redstart, a bird that has previously visited us in the winter yet is not expected here at any time of year.

A black redstart was noted here in Dec-Jan 2023. I photographed a female black redstart again today in our farmyard and in a bush about 30m from the buildings.

An unexpected sighting.

An unusual bird to see in the UK, and particularly unusual to see it on moorland in December/January when they are usually found (if at all) on the coast.