Another victim

The storm that knocked out part of our electricity 10 days ago and uprooted many trees in the commercial forests, also brought down this massive tree alongside the stream not far from our house.

It is alongside a stream where the beavers have in the past managed to bring down several similarly sized trees but this one seemed untouched but at the break point there is clear signs that it was not in good health.

On the way home after the dog walk and taking this photo, drove along a farm lane and noticed a strange small flock of birds on each side of the track going through grassland. The birds were only about 5 to 10 metres each side of the track, hopping about picking at the grass and were not at all disturbed by the car nor when I stopped, wound down the windows and started photographing them. I had no idea what these blackbird sized birds were.

With the help of the RSPB have now identified them as Fieldfares, known in German as Wacholderdossel (Juniper Thrush) and in long past times as Krammetsvogel, Krammet being the juniper and I think used in modern Danish. Not sure if the birds like of juniper and it's use as a herb in cooking and gin was the reason the bird was a much enjoyed dinner on European tables. Wiki shows a recipe from 1911.

Perhaps the gin enhancing properties explains why the flock were so friendly and have nlow found a place in my list of favourite birds. As they were only a few hundred metres from the house, perhaps might see more of them. Shown as an Extra photo.

Otherwise a very quiet day - all shops closed in Germany, so no pressure to get down to the local shops.