January diary 2010

Blackbird (Turdusmerula)

1st - January. "Yule has come and Yule is gone,
                      and we have feasted well;
                      Now Jack must to his fail again,
                      and Jenny to her wheel."
The year starts cold and frosty, the leaf edges are glistening in the sun. The garden is visited by 2 male Blackbirds who are eating the pyracantha berries with their beautiful golden bills. One is dominant as he keeps chasing off  the other one. A browner female looks on.
  The Blackbird plays a major role in the dawn chorus.
They lay 4-6 greenish blue eggs and eat worms, snails, grubs,insects and fruit.

5th - Its snowing! The large flakes are settling on the ground.

There are 3 Field fares(Turdus pilaris) in next doors garden eating the rose hips. Winter visitors arriving in October they are members of the Thrush family (Turdidae) like Blackbirds. Staying until May they eat worms, grubs, insects and berries.