Trippers

If the blackbirds usually on your garden lawn are absent at the moment it could be they've joined the trippers that have made their way to the hills to feast on the newly ripened soft fruit. Scores of them, along with thrushes and other birds, were rising up as we walked along the track above the old firing range to the south of Blacka.

Quantities of bilberry were not as great as on Blacka probably due to sheep grazing this part of the hills. But crowberry was in good supply and the blackbirds are as keen on that as they are in the autumn on the cotoneaster berries near my front door.