{"id":6111,"date":"2026-10-24T08:09:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T07:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/?p=6111"},"modified":"2026-10-23T12:51:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T11:51:16","slug":"a-bird-for-all-seasons-season-of-mists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/news-blogs\/blog\/a-bird-for-all-seasons-season-of-mists\/","title":{"rendered":"A Bird for All Seasons: Season of Mists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">(<strong>by Robert McDowell<\/strong>, 23 October 2026)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the drop in daytime temperature and the condensation on windows it is obvious that we are now on the cusp between summer and autumn.\u00a0 The dew on the grass sparkles in the sunlight and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.woodlandtrust.org.uk\/trees-woods-and-wildlife\/animals\/spiders-and-harvestmen\/garden-spider\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.woodlandtrust.org.uk\/trees-woods-and-wildlife\/animals\/spiders-and-harvestmen\/garden-spider\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Garden Spiders<\/a>\u2019 webs in the hedgerows glisten like exotic filigree jewellery.\u00a0 The leaves, cast by their hosts, crackle underfoot.\u00a0 Horse chestnuts are already in abundance, as we come into \u201cconker\u201d season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The summer migrants \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/swallow\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/swallow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Swallows<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/news-blogs\/blog\/helping-swifts-in-northern-ireland-what-you-can-do\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/news-blogs\/blog\/helping-swifts-in-northern-ireland-what-you-can-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Swifts<\/a> and warblers &#8211; have left us for warmer climes and they are already being replaced by flocks of geese arriving from the northern frozen tundra.\u00a0 We will soon hear the contact calls of flocks of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/redwing\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/redwing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Redwings<\/a> overhead during the hours of darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lughnasa is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season, and is one of the four pagan festivals marking the changes of the seasons.\u00a0 It was traditionally celebrated by feasting, baking bread and making offerings to the gods.\u00a0 This tradition has been adopted by the Christian churches with their harvest celebrations, when produce is displayed during services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At this time of year, as well as the expected migrants, there are usually some surprise visitors to our shores.\u00a0 Recent arrivals include: <a href=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-monday-19th-october-2026.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-monday-19th-october-2026.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Baird\u2019s Sandpiper<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-sunday-18th-october-2026.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-sunday-18th-october-2026.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Yellow-browed Warbler<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-sunday-18th-october-2026.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-sunday-18th-october-2026.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lesser Yellowlegs<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-saturday-17th-october-2026.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-saturday-17th-october-2026.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buff-bellied Pipit<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-friday-16th-october-2026.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-friday-16th-october-2026.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Grey Phalarope<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-thursday-22nd-october-2026.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-thursday-22nd-october-2026.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Glossy Ibis<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-saturday-17th-october-2026.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/nibirds.blogspot.com\/2026\/10\/bird-news-saturday-17th-october-2026.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lesser Whitethroat<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0These rarities are providing a bonanza for \u201ctwitchers\u201d, those who seem to have unlimited time and money to pursue these exotic visitors so they can tick them off a list.\u00a0 I am happy to look for rarities in my own location but I draw a line at travelling great distances just to add a species to my life list.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"129\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2026\/10\/Garden-Spider-Robert-McDowell-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6126\" style=\"width:219px;height:auto\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Garden Spider (Photo: Robert McDowell)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"711\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2026\/10\/glossy-ibis-Robert-McDowell.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6124\" style=\"width:617px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2026\/10\/glossy-ibis-Robert-McDowell.jpg 711w, https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2026\/10\/glossy-ibis-Robert-McDowell-300x190.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 711px) 100vw, 711px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Glossy Ibis (Photo: Robert McDowell)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those birds which remain with us in the vicinity of our gardens will soon find it more difficult to find natural food.\u00a0 It is therefore important that we lend a helping hand by stocking our bird feeders, keeping them clean to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/whats-happening\/news\/how-to-help-garden-birds\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/whats-happening\/news\/how-to-help-garden-birds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">prevent the spread of disease<\/a>.\u00a0 Starting to feed garden birds creates a commitment to continue feeding them through the harshest months.\u00a0 When birds become accustomed to finding food in a garden they will hang around each day expecting to be able to feed.\u00a0<em>[Editor: be sure to check the RSPB&#8217;s latest guidance for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/whats-happening\/news\/how-to-help-garden-birds\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/whats-happening\/news\/how-to-help-garden-birds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">safely feeding garden birds<\/a>!]<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My preferences for feeding garden birds are sunflower hearts, fat balls (not the netted variety, as these are <a href=\"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/news-blogs\/news\/lidl-is-still-selling-dangerous-bird-food\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/news-blogs\/news\/lidl-is-still-selling-dangerous-bird-food\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dangerous to birds<\/a>), nyger seed and a proprietary mixture of seeds which leaves no mess, as it is all consumed.\u00a0 I will soon be putting out my feeders and looking forward to welcoming my usual visitors, with perhaps a more exotic guest such as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/brambling\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/brambling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Brambling<\/a> or perhaps even some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/waxwing\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/waxwing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Waxwings<\/a>, both of which have turned up in my garden in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I was intrigued to hear a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/mistle-thrush\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/mistle-thrush\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mistle Thrush<\/a> continuously scolding from an overhead wire.\u00a0 Ten minutes later, it was still there, still very vocal, and I suspected a potential predator was nearby.\u00a0 The mystery was solved when a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/starling\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/starling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Starling<\/a> happened to fly past.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"673\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2026\/10\/Starlings-in-hedgerow-Robert-McDowell.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2026\/10\/Starlings-in-hedgerow-Robert-McDowell.jpg 673w, https:\/\/group.rspb.org.uk\/belfast\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2026\/10\/Starlings-in-hedgerow-Robert-McDowell-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 673px) 100vw, 673px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Starlings in the hedgerow (Photo: Robert McDowell)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the Starling passed, a figure streaked in pursuit from the hedgerow.\u00a0 It was a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/sparrowhawk\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/sparrowhawk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sparrowhawk<\/a>.\u00a0 As it set off, the Mistle Thrush followed closely, still scolding.\u00a0 Whether the Sparrowhawk, a male, caught its quarry I do not know, but it was a fascinating chase.\u00a0 Males are approximately one third smaller than females, and, as such, it would not have been a threat to the Mistle Thrush, which is around the same size.\u00a0 Males can take prey up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/blackbird\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.rspb.org.uk\/birds-and-wildlife\/blackbird\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blackbird<\/a> or Starling size, whereas a female Sparrowhawk would be a different proposition, as it would be capable of overpowering a Mistle Thrush.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(by Robert McDowell, 23 October 2026) With the drop in daytime temperature and the condensation on windows it is obvious that we are now on the cusp between summer and autumn.\u00a0 The dew on the grass sparkles in the sunlight and the Garden Spiders\u2019 webs in the hedgerows glisten like exotic filigree jewellery.\u00a0 The leaves,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":6127,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A Bird for All Seasons: Season of Mists - Belfast Local Group<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"With the drop in daytime temperature and the condensation on windows it is obvious that we are now on the cusp between summer and autumn.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, 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