An object lesson in thrush hunger

Rockland, Norfolk It's not uncommon to see two fight over fruit for minutes on end, each lunging alternately at the other

Our neighbours grow apples commercially and their five acres supply both the community in autumn and the thrushes during winter. Recently I fulfilled a long-held promise to erect a hide and watch the birds among the windfalls there. First I had to gather several barrowfuls of my own, which was itself a memorable exercise. While I raked the wasp-mined Bramleys my boots mulched down the flesh, sending up a sweet foetor and leaving geometrically patterned cakes of apple mud underfoot.

Once I'd tipped 100lb of fruit in a sunlit heap by the hide, I retired to steep the whole scene in silence, before returning next day.