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
We have a Leycesteria bush whose berries get eaten very promptly by starlings in Autumn.....
We find that Cotoneaster Horizontales feed a lot of our wild birds over the winter. They last a long time, even now there are some left after the big freeze and blackbirds, thrushes, tits and dunnock feed on them. Nearly all our stonewalls in yard and garden are covered with these plants. They are also an excellent source of nectar for bumblebees in the spring, following on from the flowering willows.
Tried a pyracantha in the garden, and saw a Blackbird feeding on the berries! Bought another one and havent seen any activity at all. Mystifies me!!!
Great tip on the elderberry, thanks Wildlife Friendly. I'll be shaking my panicles next spring to see what I'm missing!
The Holly and Mistle Thrush scenario sounds familiar - this is a bird (often as a pair) that will pick a big berry-laden bush and defend it from all-comers all winter, hence the less-than-musical sounds you've been hearing from them as they oust other birds coming in to raid the larder.
Next time the Elder is in flower, shake one over a sheet of white paper, you will be amazed at the number of insects in them.
I’d like to add Holly to the list, their berries disappear faster than the Rowan in my garden. The culprits are Mistle Thrushes.
Have a great Christmas.
Build it and they will come.