One of the joys of living where we do is our garden. We’re not great gardeners. I describe myself as “enthusiastic but inept”. My wife is rather more knowledgeable. Anyway: we keep the place tidy, and it is obviously appreciated by the local wild-life. This year I have been struck by an interesting change in the bird life.
Normally I expect to see thrushes arrive when the rowan trees are in fruit. Although this has been a good year for berries I have not noticed a single thrush. Equally usual is the presence of blackbirds. They even nest in the garden. It has been striking, however, just how many of them are around the place these days. Because they are so territorial and competitive you can’t help but notice the noise they make.
I have been wondering why this change might have come about. Is it the case that climate change has kept the thrushes further north during the past mild year, and at the same time has been kind to the resident blackbirds, enabling them to breed more successfully? It would be nice to know the answer.