And I'm not talking about Dr. Who. But who has eaten all the berries in our Wildlife Garden?
Where a garden is will determine just when the berries are eaten, and by what. Most trees and bushes in town gardens still have their berries but our Wildlife Garden, in the centre of the reserve, has seen a sudden loss of autumn fruit and just how the berries have been eaten is a clue to what has eaten them.
These hips on the Rosa glauca have been now almost gone but the indication is that, as the flesh has not been eaten, Greenfinches are the culprit. Actually when we are opening up the reserve and all is quiet, we can see them at it, using their large beaks to take the nutritious seeds.
At the other side of the garden all the berries have gone from the firethorn (Pyracantha).
These berries have been taken whole, probably by thrushes. We have Redwings and Fieldfares on the reserve - they are less common in towns - and these winter thrushes may have taken them.
As yet we are waiting for the arrival of Waxwings but the berry crop is reported to be good in Northern Europe so we may have fewer of them this year, however, if the berries start to go from your garden tree keep a good watch for this wonderful bird.
Peter