THIS was the stunning scene as thousands of hungry fieldfares descend on a Suffolk orchard - setting a new record flock in the county.

Russell Claydon

THIS was the stunning scene as thousands of hungry fieldfares descend on a Suffolk orchard - setting a new record flock in the county.

Usually around 200 are seen at Wheldon's Fruit Farm, at Newton, near Sudbury, but the inaccessibly to earthworms under snow-covered ground has brought more than 5,000 thrushes swarming on a daily basis.

The sight has also got bird enthusiasts turning up to the fields.

The RSPB has even recorded it as topping the previous record flock in the county - 4,000 a decade ago on the coast at Westleton.

Driven down from Scandinavia in their quest for food, the farm has provided rich pickings for the birds.

Andrew Wheldon, 63, the owner of the farm, said: “They have probably been here for about 6-7 days in large numbers.

“One of our neighbours from Newton Green got in contact with the RSPB who came down Tuesday and I think they were surprised. They certainly thought it was a considerable sight.

“We always have a number of them here every winter and there has been a few about ever since the middle of November but nothing like the sort of quantity now.”

He added: “There are just clearing up the rubbish and are making a fair mess but it is all good fertiliser.”

Mark Nowers, a warden at the RSPB's Stour Estuary Reserve, who has been down to record the thrushes, said: “This truly was a wildlife spectacle.

“It took my breath away and I was lost for words. There were comfortably 5,000 of them.

“It has been a once in a lifetime thing unless we get a succession of cold winters again.”