Feast

The Cotoneaster hedge along the north side of our front garden has really come into its own this Autumn. In the dozen years we have lived here I have never seen as many Blackbirds feeding on the berries. Perhaps as a result of me moving my desk into our bedroom in order to achieve a semblance of peace whilst working I am noticing them for the first time as the desk is adjacent to the front window overlooking the hedge. All of these were taken through glass as they fed a few feet below the window. Up to six at any one time visible and probably more over the day as there are often a few in the back feeding on apples on the lawn.

Blackbird, 1st-winter male

Blackbird, 1st-winter male

Blackbird, 1st-winter male

Interesting also to note the individual variation I would speculate that this one is perhaps a locally bred bird as it seems more advanced than the other 1st-winter, almost adult like except for a few remnant dark marks on the bill.

Blackbird, female

Blackbird, 1st-winter male