It was a beautiful winter’s day today. The snow was still crisp and white although quite icy and slippery in places. This is a path alongside the golf club on the way to the beach.
The fieldfare only started arriving in mid to late January but they are now here in their hundreds. I disturbed this group while walking along the path.They seem to love the buckthorn berries.
There are conflicting opinions about buckthorn. It is not a plant that is native to Scotland but has flourished here in East Lothian beside the sea. It was initially planted to stabilise the sand and to prevent the sand being blown inland. This has been very successful but it has now grown over the sand dunes and further inland to such an extent that strenuous efforts are being made to control it. It does contain lots of vitamins including vitamin C. The berries are harvested – with great difficulty as the branches are extremely prickly -to make jellies, juices, purees, and sauces. The berries themselves are very sour. But they provide a wonderful winter pantry for the birds!
East Lothian Seashore Life 