Sunday 25 November 2012

Juicy red berries................................................... a favourite food for wildlife

I had a short walk this lunchtime to enjoy the sunny weather that wasn't expected.

I intended walking alongside Witton Brook but saw a small flock of Waxwings over on Marbury Lane to the right of this image.

Blackbird (Turdus merula)
By the time I had reached the spot the Waxwings had flown but at least I had seen them through my binoculars and had a record shot... my first for two years.

This male Blackbird was feeding on the same berries as the Waxwings...

... and did his best to impersonate one.


A Grey Squirrel was feeding alongside one of the hides at Haydn's Pool.



I have been visiting Haydn's Pool for a few years and this was the first time there wasn't a bird on the water... and not a wader in sight.

Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)
I saw this male Bullfinch as I made my way back towards Marbury Lane...

...he was also feeding on red berries.


38 comments:

Brian King said...

Love the blackbird! The yellow eye ring is too cool! And nice berry shots! It seems odd not to have anything on that water. It looks like a bird haven.

TexWisGirl said...

beautiful blackbird, bullfinch and varmint, too!

Unknown said...

What a pitty you did not made a shoot of the waxwings! They are beautiful! But the pictures you have made for this post are even beautiful

Shaun said...

Some very nice photos there Andrew. I have no patience with birds i must admit. But i think i will have to try one day.
Valleysshutterbug

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

Nice that your knee is better that you are able to take a short walk once again. The bullfinch is a very colorful guy.

Findlay Wilde said...

I stil haven't seent he Waxwings this year. I really like the picture with the berry in the balckbirds mouth, but not touching it's beak. From Findlay

Elizabeth Edwards said...

what a great treat for the birds. lovely views. ( :

Bob Bushell said...

My favourite is the Bullfinch, he is beautiful. You have a nice walk, but not too much!

Horst in Edmonton said...

Great Photos Andrew. Have a great week.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

The Blackbird, and Bullfinch are equally beautiful. I pretty much missed our Cedar Waxwings altogether this season...kind of bummed, but oh well, another time. I got a few in the early dawn hours, and will tuck in some better images to share on Tuesday...have to hide them...they are just that not so good;')

Michelle said...

Beautiful contrast with the black feathers and the red berries.

Dina J said...

These shots are way too cool! Love that bullfinch. I've never seen that one before.

cieldequimper said...

Yummy! Lovely shots!

Pantherka said...

Very beautiful Andrew.

Unknown said...

They do love red berries! :-) Lovely shots.

Thank you for the 'wally close glasgow' tip, the tiles are gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful birds!

MadSnapper said...

the colors in these are fantastic, I love the reds and yellows... beautiful shots

Anonymous said...

These are gorgeous photos, Andrew! Now I know what a Waxwing looks like!

Unknown said...

Had lots of lovely walks round here when I was younger. Over in Middlewich now.

Unknown said...

Great sequence, Andrew!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Fun60 said...

Your photo of the berries really do look delicious. No wonder the birds and squirrels can't leave them alone.

Anonymous said...

Reminded me much of home. Thank you ! Please have a good Tuesday.



daily athens photo

Kerri Farley said...

Outstanding captures! I always say - "find the berries and you'll find the birds" :)

Molly said...

The image of the Blackbird with the berry is amazing. What a truly fabulous capture.

Mollyxxx

Rose said...

That looks like such an inviting place. Nice shots of the blackbird and love that bullfinch.

Anna said...

Awesome pictures, Andrew!
Love the black bird the most... ;))
Warm greetings, Anna

Susan said...

That bullfinch is awesome. Boy those must be some good berries!

mick said...

The countryside looks great with the sunshine and blue sky and the bullfinch is especially beautiful.

HansHB said...

Nice post, great photos!
Happy WBW to you!

Adam Jones said...

Nice Blackbird shots Andrew, and lovely light on the Bullfinch.

Beppan said...

That short walk - but a lot of nice pictures!
The black bird, blue sky and red berries... wow!

i stora drag said...

Beautiful birds, colours and of course - the lovely sunshine! Seems like we have had grey weather for a month now! Zzzzz...
Greetings Pia

EG CameraGirl said...

The blackbird is very handsome!

Stewart M said...

Really like the Bullfinch. I think seeing them is always a highlight.

If the truth be told I had not heard of Francolins before I got to Oman!

Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW - Stewart M - Melbourne

Neil said...

Beautiful series love all the colours.

Wally Jones said...

What a really nice area to walk! Thank you for sharing your birds. Really nice images.

Red Nomad OZ said...

Sounds like the red berry bushes are the go!! EVERYTHING seems to like them!!!

Dave said...

Andrew what a lovely post.... those berries are a god send for just about everything arnt they