The Invaders

Fieldfares
They came yesterday afternoon to take advantage of the remaining cotoneaster and pyracantha (firethorn) berries, to the chagrin of the local blackbirds and the positive hostility of the sparrows. Six of them arrived in the hawthorn hedge, now devoid of berries and stubbornly remained until dusk drove them away to more salubrious shelter in the countryside. This morning they were back, mob-handed, but not just six, the word’s got out – I counted 25 close to the house and there were far more in the neighbouring trees. Having found a good supply of berries in my garden they brought their mates in for a banquet and have today systematically stripped every berry – rather like a plague of locusts. The local birds put up a bit of a fight yesterday but were hugely outnumbered today and must have watched in some dismay as their winter supply of food was consumed in a matter of hours. To my knowledge (of around 14 years) this has not happened in my garden before, so clearly, food must be short in their usual habitat of rural fields. I don’t begrudge Fieldfares a meal – but they could have asked!

Mrs Blackcap
This little female Blackcap has decided to remain here for the winter instead of high-tailing it abroad; I imagine she must be regretting that decision right about now. Even she has her aggressive side; she spends a good deal of her time inside the birdhouse table gobbling up the seed and dried fruit that I leave there on an increasingly regular basis. She’ll tackle anything that threatens to eject her, even the odd collared dove, and she has a big appetite for one so tiny.

The Wasteland
My garden appears to be a frozen wasteland at the moment but there is still plenty going on even at minus 5 degrees, not in the way of plants, they are all tucked up and snoozing, but in the way of survival. If you’re planning any alterations or re-vamps to the garden in Spring do seriously consider a berry bearing bush or tree if you don’t already have one or two. If you have a few such plants, consider adding another for by now you must know, as I do, how rewarding they are, not only by providing flowers in early and late Spring, but spectacular autumn leaf colour and bright and beautiful berries that glisten in the watery winter sunshine (that is until the Fieldfares come and hoover them all up). And if this is not enough, imagine the satisfaction of seeing them consumed by some very appreciative feathered friends. Just think, briefly, if the situation was reversed, and WE were sitting with our youngsters, freezing, in the trees…………