The Blackbird and the Cherry Tree

 There is a fable called 'The Blackbird and the Cherry Tree' in which a blackbird helps itself to the ripe cherries. That blackbird seems to live in our garden!

We have a small cherry tree (Stella) bought many years ago. It has remained small because it was planted in a root bag and, possibly, has a dwarf rootstock. It is a slightly odd shape which is down to me and my pruning skills (or lack of!).

Photo 1: Stella Cherry Tree in Bloom (8th April 2025)

Every year we share the fruit with the local bird population who consume at least half the crop. The main culprits appears to be blackbirds who have an inordinate fondness for red fruit; last year they had most of the redcurrant crop as well. I still remember vividly the occasion I walked past the cherry tree, only a metre away from a male blackbird with a red beak holding the remains of a fully ripe cherry.

This year, Mary was out with the fleece and plastic bags to cover up the fruit as it ripened ...

Photo 2: Protective Measures

... and although we probably lost 20% of the crop, we managed to pick 1.4 kg of delicious cherries ...

Photo 3: Cherries Galore

It was easy enough to track the avian 'thief' by following the remains of its ill-gotten booty along the paths (Photo 4 & Photo 5) ...

Photo 4: A Trail of Cherry Stones ...

Photo 5: ... And Half-Eaten Fruit

... to their favourite spot near the compost bins at the bottom of the garden; the blackbird nest is close by as is the redcurrant bush!

Photo 6: Compost Bin 

Blackbirds are still one of my favourite garden birds, despite their affinity for my cherry and redcurrant fruit, because of their wonderful tuneful song. I don't mind sharing provided we could come to some agreement on how to divide the spoils. They have eaten the lot in some years!