Mistle Thrushes

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Since the start of the cold weather about two months ago. Two of these birds have been in charge of the garden. Never had them here before in 24 years, apart from a short visit from a pair one Spring. The poor old blackbird is seen off if spotted anywhere near ‘their food’. He gets shoulder charged out of the way and even chased. They are nearly as big as the Collared Doves and very bossy with wood pigeons. The visiting cats are fascinated by them, as they don’t disapear just because a cat is around. So far they have munched a whole dinner tray of left over black grapes. They guard the Rowan Tree. Now there are only berries left on the tips of branches and they do acrobatics to eat them. Whether this is the end of hard times for the birds is anyone’s guess………Some time has gone by since I wrote this blog. Mr and Mrs Mistle are still presiding over their ancient grapes and squishy blueberries. I can see another trip to Sainsbury for more supplies of clapped out grapes , if any. LoL….must be mad!!!!!

Here is one of the pair. One is a bit bigger than the other. They watch out for each other. That is when you see both of them. Not for long, so no photo, so far, of them as a pair

Since this colder weather there have been more of these beautiful big birds in the garden

Sometimes they feed peacefully. When the weather was very severe. The food was on top of the snow they quarrelled a lot. A really bossy one kept chasing the others off the food

These thrushes really do guard their food sources very keenly. They cooperate as a pair and are together but apart! They are so different to song thrushes in their behaviour.

Stripey Cat is on duty on the top of the garden shed near to the haunt of the Mistle Thrushes

Mr Blobby is, as usual, trying to eat something that is a bit difficult to chew. The remains of a leg of lamb, picked clean by the Starlings. Normally he would be on Thrush minding duty too.

This is their feeding place now that the tray of grapes is finished by these grape/berry gannets. The robin is allowed on there for his dried wormy things but nothing bigger then robin size.

These pigeons were squabbling when the ground was very frosted and hard. They couldn’t feed then, without constant standoffs. I mainly put out wholemeal bread, suet granules and birdseed for them and the Starlings. sometimes the moggies are lurking and no bird lands to feed.

Here are Blackbird and Mistle thrush eyeing one another up. Mr Mistle is in full charge of the Rowan tree!

• 8 Jan, 2011
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