Fieldfares

 The Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) is a common Winter visitor nearly as big as a mistle thrush about 10 inches long. It is generally distributed in open wooded country from the outskirts of towns.

 They feed together in the fields, landing first in a hedge and working outwards. They take grubs and worms, and clean the berries from hawthorns and other bushes.

 In hard weather they suffer severely.

 In deep Winter they move to suburban gardens and feed on berries and fallen apples.

 And obviously crab apples too!

 Also seen here running a few steps over the snow and stopping to dig down with their beaks, especially under my Bramley Apple tree.  I must remember not to be so tidy next year, leave fallen apples in a pile for the birds in Winter.

This might make a Christmas card for next year!