One of my favourite snow pictures last week was of the orange berries of Sorbus ‘Joseph Rock’ with pyramids of snow piled on top. But it won’t last long. The tree has been ignored until now, but after exhausting all the red holly berries and the last few crab apples, the sorbus has become the top food source in the garden this week, attracting Fieldfares, Redwings and Song Thrushes in numbers.
It’s very difficult to get them in focus, or to show you how the tree trembles constantly under the constant thrashing of beaks and wings. The tree is clearly visible from the gate on the lane, if you fancy coming and having a look. But be quick…
Two Fieldfares and a smaller Redwing at the bottom.
Five Fieldfares and one Redwing, smaller, bottom left.
A somewhat out of focus Mistlethrush
And finally a Songthrush, recognisable by the lines of upside down heart-shaped spots. They seem disinclined to compete for fruit in the tree and are happier on the ground, foraging for breadcrumbs and seeds.
One Response to “Berry bonanza for the birds.”
We have had a flock of about 40 redwings arrive in susurban SW London; only the 2nd time I have ever seen any round here in over 25 years & not in these numbers. I keep trying to take photos of them in large groups on the street trees but they are very skittish & fly off at the slightest sound, of which there are many. They have given me much delight.