DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH HIS HOME COMPUTER, THIS IS THE LAST POST FROM ADRIAN UNTIL THE NEW YEAR
I did have another posting in mind for today, but sometimes a subject pops up that is far too distracting.
The thing is that, in response to my last posting looking at which berries are left until birds are desperate, the query came back, "So which berries get taken instantly, then?". Good question, Matt :-)
Ellen has already posted her suggestion - Mahonia. And I started by thinking of Hawthorn, which is an absolutely vital winter food source for so many of the thrushes, in large part because there's so much of it in our countryside. But on reflection, nope, that's not quite on my top top list. And we can forget things like Holly and Berberis, which in my experience are more of those 'If that's all there is' type berries.
I so wanted to include things like Amelanchier lamarckii, the Juneberry or Snowy Mespil. But a tree that fruits in midsummer is nice but doesn't do much for starving winter birds.
So here are three that in my experience get guzzled before they've barely had chance to ripen.
1) Rowan (left). Blackbirds in particular, but all the other thrushes too, seem to find this irresistible. It's a prime choice for Waxwings too, but few are left by the time they arrive here.
2) Elder. I know, I know, it's not the most attractive of trees - all a bit scrubby and wayward. And how wonderful it would be if those great pancake flower heads were stuffed with bees and butterflies when usually they are insect-free. But all those succulent clusters of juicy berries? Starling and Blackcap heaven.
3) Wild Cherry. There's a big stone to negotiate, but apart from that birds over millennia must have been very grateful for these natural late summer treats
Do you agree? Disagree? Feel free to share your experiences - it's the best way for us all to learn!
And I hope you enjoy your berries too - cranberries maybe?! A very merry Christmas to everyone, and I hope Santa does you proud in the gardening department,
If you want to drop by my RSPB wildlife gardening blog, it is updated every Friday, and I'd love to see you there - www.rspb.org.uk/community/blogs/hfw
Surprisingly this year the first 'berries' to go were our bumper crop of red grapes - a big hit with the blackbirds, followed by the pyrancantha berries (red first then orange) and cotoneaster.
No take up of the mistletoe I put out after twelfth night though!