From this time of year we always have two or three woodpigeons (Columba palumbus) eating the ivy berries on top of the hedge and in the tree behind.
Ivy berries contain toxins, but many birds seem
From this time of year we always have two or three woodpigeons (Columba palumbus) eating the ivy berries on top of the hedge and in the tree behind.
Ivy berries contain toxins, but many birds seem able to cope with them. Pigeons, however, eat the rather soft seed where the toxins are said to be concentrated, as well as the fruit pulp and can destroy over 75% of the ivy seed crop. They start with the unripe berries at this time of year and continue to feed on them right through to spring when they are properly ripe.
A small mid-November treat today was the appearance of the beautiful plume moth (Amblyptilia acanthodactyla) on the wa