I've been trying to get a decent shot at the Fieldfares this winter, and this week finally one bird took to perching in the crab apple tree in my garden, in view from an upstairs window, during a brief splash of sunlight.
Numbers seem to have peaked now that the fallen cooking apples have been eaten- over the Christmas period there were over a dozen fighting the frost amongst twenty five Blackbirds and a rather annoying pair of Muntjac. Now, just the one bird has been coming in, and as happens every year around this time, attention has turned to the bitter cherry crabs.
In the hedge the Redwings remain hidden from view, at least four birds visible from time to time, and Reed Buntings have started to arrive- three males yesterday and a couple of females have also visited briefly. They do like birdseed scattered on the bird table, although as they get more confident they start to vie for control of the feeders- battling with the Gold and Chaffinches.
With a bit of luck I should get a visit from Bramblings, Siskin and Redpolls as the winter wanes and they start moving north again.
