Two years ago it started with one fieldfare eating the apple windfalls outside my office.
It frequently had run-ins with a blackbird and so after a while it called in another fieldfare for support.
The blackbird was still hassling them however.
Next year a third fieldfare was called in and the blackbird responded by calling in some mates to help defend the winter food supply.
This year started with five fieldfares, and at the beginning of this recent cold snap there were a few more - three more in fact.
I am now looking out and can count exactly thirteen fieldfares engaged alternately in feeding frenzy and bird wars with the increasing flock of blackbirds.
If I am not mistaken there should be 21 fieldfares tomorrow...
Has anyone got any spare windfalls?