A feast for thrushes

Walking through the wood I just happened to glance down at the ground  through the blackthorn bushes and saw an unusual sight..... hundreds of broken snail shells  in  a very small area, about a couple of feet square .  They were all a similar colour and size and had obviously been a food source for a very busy bird, perhaps a thrush or a blackbird.

 

When I showed my husband he made the comment that it was a prime example of optimal foraging which apparently means that one or perhaps two birds  have been feasting on yellow snails to the exclusion of everything else.  By the looks of it there won't be many more left now......

 

I've always loved thrushes so I'm sad that there numbers are reduced but hopefully there will be at least one or two well fed member of the species in Gidding Jubilee wood.

 

Watercolour and pencil sketch, first stage

 

Working hard at the coal face - wonder if they like garlic with their snails!