Winter Berries Providing Food For The College Wildlife

5 Crab Apple Trees, Malus 'Evereste' 16th October

Malus 'Evereste' 6th December

Over the last few years the team have planted a number of shrubs and trees in the grounds that will provide food for wildlife in the form of berries.
In November 2015 three Sorbus trees were planted, see blog entry for the 24th 'Sorbus Pearly King', the pink berries have already been eaten by the blackbirds.
In March 2016 twenty Holly bushes were planted, see blog entry for 11th 'Tanalised Easy Edge Timber and Ilex Aquafolium Alaska', the bright red berried have all been eaten by the blackbirds. The blackbirds are also quite partial to the white fruit of Symphoricarpus albus, the snowberry, which are currently providing them with an alternative source of food.

The Ducks Feeding

However, in December 2015 five crab apple trees were planted, see blog entry for the 17th 'Planting Five Trees, Crab Apple Evereste' and it is these five trees and their large crop of orange fruit that are providing food for not only the blackbirds but for a variety of birds and mammals.
As can be seen by these photographs the blackbirds have been joined by mallards, who have already gorged themselves on the windfall apples in the orchard, squirrels and jays, all are enjoying this year's bumper crop, the jays have been eating the fruit but have yet to be captured on camera!

Male Blackbird

Female Blackbird

Grey Squirrel

Jay