Normally I concentrate observing through the kitchen window at the back of the building. Something made me look out of the front room window this morning and I was greeted by the sight of scores of small birds on the remaining apple trees in what used to be an orchard. I tried many photos through the window but recent snow had brought down so much dust and dirt the results were useless. In the end I crept outside and up to the front gate and managed to get some decent shots. Now I could identify what I was looking at - a flock of anything up to a hundred Fieldfare. What a fantastic sight. In this tree I counted just over three dozen.
There was another tree with just as many and scores more on the ground amongst the windfall apples. Every time someone walked or drove down the lane they would all take to the air only to return a short while later.
This was a rare sight for me and an opportunity not to be missed especially with a bird I had not seen before.
What an incredible sight it was, especially when they took off like a cloud rising from the ground there were so many. Unfortunately a hedge was in the way for photographing those on the ground.
Certainly a great sight to see John.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a way to see them for the first time; so many at once.
It was Keith and it made a change from all the squabbling in the back garden. There are a few gardens down this lane with piles of windfall apples so it was just the right conditions to capture their attention.
ReplyDeleteHi John,
ReplyDeleteThat really must have been a great sight... and to see so many of them, wow I wish I had been there :-)
Great photos too, much, much better than the record shot I managed of the fieldfare that was seen around our garden. Well done, and I hope you manage to see them again soon.
Well done, good pictures:) It is exciting when you see different birds from your usual visitors. I have, at the moment, one Fieldfare who has made our garden his territory. A flock of about a dozen appeared yesterday on one of my trees but they did not stay, but flew off. This one Fieldfare did not join them but continues to stay in our garden, eating the Crab apples and chasing off the Blackbirds and the Song Thrush. This Fieldfare has been visiting my garden now four days.
ReplyDeleteJohn, it's all about location, location and for winter Thrushes...FOOD. Excellent sighting and so well captured. FAB.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was a sight and a half, Joe. Especially each time they all took off at the same time. You will have to find a ton of old apples as that was what they were concentrating on all day.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynmiranda. They were so interested in the windfall apples they didn't stray far for long so I could get reasonably close. Nice to have one visiting for several day.
ReplyDeleteThank you Frank. They were concentrated in two gardens which both had piles of windfall apples. With the number of birds I think there will just be a pile of cores in a day or two as they were eating all day. I took those photos about 9.45 a.m. and they were still eating apples at 2.30 p.m..
ReplyDeleteWow, exciting for sure. I love to see trees dotted with birds imitating leaves. It's wonderful to be captivated by such a sight and to be able to take photos and share adds even more. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was Glo. These are Winter visitors and I would guess this flock hadn't been in the country for very long as we are only five miles from the North Sea and they were eating all day long.
ReplyDeleteWow - what a wonderful sight and lucky you to be in the right place at the right time. Perhaps winter brings some advantages after all! I've only seen the odd one or two at a time.
ReplyDeleteYes Tricia. It was definitely right place at the right time. There were about 20 of them in the branches overhanging my back garden first thing this morning but they just sat watching the food riots among the score of Blackbirds on the ground.
ReplyDeleteI think the main attraction is last year's bumper crop of apples, most of which are on the ground now.