Our grapes threaded through the goat willow tree

When lying in bed drinking early morning tea I can see these grapes threading through the branches of the goat willow tree behind our house. I’m blipping them now as they are being eaten quickly by an assortment of birds from jackdaws to wood pigeons, pairs of blackbirds, tits and particularly the very shy male and female blackcaps.

I’ve been trying to photograph the blackcaps, which only returned to the garden a few weeks ago, but they are very elusive. Sometimes you see a leaf or two shake then a branch gently moving, with the occasional form of a small bird under the shadow of the leaves. The other birds have no such qualms, and stand wherever they can and grab any grapes within range. The big birds size is very frustrating for them as their weight ensures the grapes get pushed away from them. 

The leaves are also turning which isn’t surprising given the very dry conditions all summer. I bet this year’s crop of grapes would be very good for wine production, but I can’t reach them to eat let alone gather them in quantity for an attempt at fermentation.