Up at the old Oak tree

November 14th 2024

I took a wander down the lane to the spot where I saw the Nuthatches, there are a good number of Rowans there that the Winter Thrushes seem to like so ...

First sighting, albeit through the branches, a Fieldfare getting stuck in. We have hundreds of them around at the moment, both Redwings and Fieldfare in various flock sizes which means we also have a lot more Sparrowhawks than I've ever seen before!

None of them are that keen on being seen are they? 

A Redwing, once again hidden behind branches so, I'm standing very still and moving soooooooooo slowly ......

That doesn't really work, I need to rely on them being really hungry OR ..... get a hide 

Bit better

Better ...

Ahah! 

I did like that one so ...

Hmmmmm 

Meanwhile ...

I'd found a sweet spot to stand still in.

I loved that one ... What you got???

A couple of Fieldfare popped back.

It was starting to get busy in there.

Once they've either settled or accepted my presence, they just get into the eating thing.

If you look at the number of blank stalks on those branches, they'll soon have these trees stripped bare.

Sorry, Redwing-fest but I was happy to get so many nice shots. I stepped back, to the other side of the lane and looked to my left ...

What A Cutie! Just standing there munching on an Acorn, I stand near a beautiful old Oak tree and that's where he/she was.

I was creeping slowly closer when it decided I was close enough and dashed further up the tree.

And sneezed! At least that's how it looks 

Now I'm taking a guess it's a male ....

Forgot where he hid them??  

Redwing and Fieldfare on the patch

It's well into November now and the Fieldfare and Redwing have arrived. I first spotted a flock of redwing in the woods up the lane about a fortnight ago and 'accidentally' got a shot of a flock of Fieldfares up at Loch of Lintrathen.

November 14th driving along the top lane, I got my first chance at shots on the patch, as I drove along the lane, the birds were tree-hopping ahead of me, never actually stopping long enough for a shot until .

Finally, one bird stopped and I crept forward in the car, opened the door quietly and hung out.

Shy and elusive birds, until the snow arrives and then they're all over the garden looking for apples (sometimes). This was probably a mixed flock but I only got a good look at this one Fieldfare.​​​​​​​

So I continued up to the reservoir for my walk on a beautiful sunny, but freezing morning.

I decided once I was back, to take a walk up the lane, see if I could spot any more. I headed up to the same area I'd seen the Nuthatches the other day, there are a good few Rowans there and these birds LOVE those berries.

First sighting was a Fieldfare in the trees. They really do not like being exposed, very shy birds but, if I stand still in the right place .....

It was the Redwing that showed most.

At last a few more started to land in the tree.

Fieldfare and Redwings have always been shy birds, I remember seeing them in fields down in Wales but always distant and always staying that way so to get any shots of them here is great, for me. Maybe the lure of all those lovely berries was just too much :)

I kept creeping slowly closer and kept as quiet and still as possible, I have no doubt they were very aware of my presence but did allow me to get some great shots.

I was really pleased to get these shots, yes they will come to the garden when it snows and they love apples but that may not happen and it's much better to get them out here.

I really liked this next shot ...

What you got down there?

And this one, completely surrounded by berries.

Note the lack of Fieldfares in these shots! They were around, just not willing to be photographed.

OK, final one ...

I must add, those trees were stripped berry bare very quickly, not surprising really, there have to be a few hundred of these birds in this area.

And that concluded my session, I stood up at the junction for a good while, standing still, staring :)