The future

Ill health has kept me indoors today and I am not exactly in the partying mood.
The first day of the year always seems to bring out the irrational side of my nature. I am already anticipating the days of Spring even though experience tells me that the winter has yet to really begin. This has been such an unusual autumn that spring also cannot avoid following a different course to the norm. Some shrubs are already bearing flowers which normally would lie dormant in their buds for at least another three months. It is inevitable that they will succomb to the frost to follow and that will mean that autumn next year will be bereft of many of the berries normally seen.
I do not believe in making resolutions, but I did yesterday purchase a hole cutter with the purpose of making birch log nest boxes to install in Wedge Wood. I look forward to being able to inspect these to see what species have been attracted.
I am sure the new year will bring lots of surprises in the natural world as has every year previous.

Force of Nature - A New Lake Created

I visited the old sand quarry, which is deserted and much of it has been regenerated to become an unofficial nature reserve. Following heavy falls of rain, a small lake usually appears at one end of the quarry. This is what I anticipated to find, however, what met my eyes was something totally unexpected.
Instead of a lake stretching just twenty metres across, the whole of the quarry was full. In extent, it probably stretches to four hundred square meters, though this is very difficult to estimate as it does not comprise of a single area, the quarry being almost 'U' shaped. This new lake is at least three meters deep in places and is far beyond what might be expected even given the flooding that has followed the recent rains. I was quite perplexed by this sight.
Taking a detour from the walk I had planned, I eventually emerged on the footpath at the other side of the quarry. This path follows the route of a small stream. At one point it became apparent that my path was blocked by a fallen tree; not an unlikely event in the present climatic circumstances. Upon closer inspection I could see that there had been a substantial landslip. Several trees were now rooted some two meters below the level where they had previously been. The stream bed was also well above the level of the land. At the further end, a waterfall revealed the upstream flow. The water could not continue on its usual course and so was flowing into the quarry.
The result of this could be the creation of a permanent lake presenting new environmental opportunities. But, I am wondering what will happen once the level of the lake reaches that of the inflowing stream. If the water backs up from there, it could cause all manner of other problems and presumably, the authorities will have to take action to avert this. It will be fascinating to await the outcome.

Woodcock in Wedge Wood

Visited my woodland today to begin the construction of a pond. There is a seasonal flow of water from a spring and I wish to utilise this to hopefully construct a pond sufficiently deep to survive the summer dry season.
Whilst wandering around the wood, I disturbed first one and then a second woodcock. The first bird rose up through the tree with its characteristic zigzagging flight pattern and away it went. The other specimen flew low to the ground just about twenty yards before settling again near the water course. This allowed me to get an excellent view of the barring on the plumage of what is a seldom seen but most attractive bird.
The sodden ground will be making it easy for these birds to use their large beaks to probe for worms and other soil borne creatures. I only hope they stay for the spring and breed which would enable me to see their 'roding' flight; a spectacular display flight that can usually only be observed towards dusk. The birds are largely nocturnal and their camouflage is very effective so that they can only be seen when flushed from their hiding paces as was the case today.

Still the winds blow

This has been a very unseasonal spell of weather. Yalding which lies nearby up the Medway valley has attracted national interest owing to the flooding it experienced over the festive holiday. It is unclear how the wildlife will have been affected. A large number of trees have fallen, this due, not so much to the winds, although they have been a factor, but the water-logged ground which has meant that the roots have had little of substance to cling to.
The water voles's holes will have been submerged, but I suspect that this particular mammal will have survived unscathed. It is the human animal which appears to be most susceptible to the vagaries of the weather.
A lone redwing joined the blackbirds on the rowan tree today.

Boxing Day

One of the disappointments of moving to this area close to the South Downs is that I anticipated re-acquainting myself with one of the most iconic animals in the UK but have not done so. I am referring on this Boxing Day to the hare.
Everything about the topography and the ecology of this area would suggest that it would support a healthy population of hares. They do apparently occur a few miles away in a similar location, but, despite two years of close observation, I have yet to see one.
Having in other places observed the 'boxing' matches between hares, now known to be the sparring of a male and female, and therefore, knowing it to be one of the truly magical sights of nature, I live in hope that this creature has either prove to be extremely elusive, or, that it will one day soon re-populate the area.
Watched a little egret catch a fish in the swollen stream today. It moved with a remarkable swiftness to secure its prey.
What I presume to have been a pair of mistle thrushes appeared to be engaged in a courtship ritual.

Partridge in Pear Tree

The other day I saw a covey of about twelve partridges. They were on a ploughed field beside the Pilgrims Way. Unfortunately, in a sense, they were French or red-legged partridge and not the native grey partridge.
Whilst it is always good to see these birds, they are birds that will have been released for the shooting season. It is some years now since I last saw a grey partridge. When I lived in the welsh borders the call of the grey partridges on a summer's evening was commonly heard, but now it is a rarity.
I have never, and do not ever expect to see a partridge in a tree, pear, apple or any other sort. They are ground dwelling birds. I once caught an injured grey partridge and kept it in a pen for a few weeks. On the second day after placing it in the pen, I went to check on its progress, but could see no sign whatsoever of the bird. It was not a particularly large pen and the ground was virtually bare of cover. On entering the pen, the bird moved and I could confirm its presence. On several occasions following that initial 'loss' I was both perplexed and amazed at the camouflaging capabilities of the bird's plumage. I am pleased to be able to report that the bird fully recovered and was released back into the wild.
Today, the tranquil stream that runs through the wood is a raging torrent; the rabbit cropped lawn near the footbridge is a small lake, and the lower part of the wood is a swamp. It certainly rained yesterday.

Peculiar Creatures

Today I observed some creatures performing what appeared to be a most peculiar ritual. You could be excused for thinking, at first coming upon the scene, that this was a mass migration. But it soon becomes clear that not all of the creatures are moving in the same direction. In fact there were four distinct flows of the creatures, two each side of a causeway.
Closer observation also revealed that the individuals within the mass each behaved in quite distinct ways, though remaining within the general pattern of behaviours. With so many within confined spaces, it is important that both the competition for space and the need to avoid individuals moving in the opposite direction, led to evasive behaviours. However, some individuals operated in such a manner as to cause real problems for others: stopping suddenly; or, making a rapid change of direction. Nevertheless, the flow was maintained, though to what great effect you might be left to wonder.
The site of these observations of animal behaviour was Oxford Street, London; two days before Christmas.

Ubiquitous Birds

Shortest day of the year. There is meant to be nine hours of daylight, but, it is such a dreary day that we are unlikely to see anything like that much true daylight.
There are plenty of birds around the garden, but, with the high winds and driving rain, not much could be seen on my usual walk.
However, there is always one bird that I can guarantee to see, and this probably applies to most people in most parts of the country, for, this has become a truly ubiquitous bird.
I am of course talking about the wood pigeon.
This bird has continuously increased in numbers despite man's continuous persecution. In addition, there has been a rapid increase in natural predators, including sparrow hawk, goshawk and peregrine falcon. Whilst the urban fox populations has definitely contributed to their predation. Nevertheless, it appears not to have been adversely affected by changing farming practises or climate and clearly breeds with great success.
One thing the weather did not deprive me of was my second sighting of the water vole, witnessed by Daphne who had only once previously seen this endearing creature.

Air Full of Birds

Today was one of those days. Following a heavy frost, a beautiful dawn broke with a clear blue sky. Taking my normal morning route, as I approached the fringe of the wood, all within my eye scope, could be seen a group of great tits, a jay, magpie and a green woodpecker. Later I came across  a flock or charm of a dozen goldfinches. Then a small family party of bullfinches flew across my path and settled in the hedge. Surely the male bullfinch with its breast reflecting the sun's rays, has a greater claim than the robin, to be the bird of Christmas.

One curious sight in the woods was an array of fallen branches with the bark chewed away. This must have been done by rabbits, though I have only previously seen this behaviour when snow lies on the ground. It is possible that the density of rabbits is unusually high for the time of year (that is certainly my impression), so, although there appears to be plenty of grass around, some individuals may be being pushed to the edge of the normal territory and struggling to find sufficient food. Further evidence for this can be found in the tufts of fur that can be readily found in the fields. This represents the aftermath of rabbits fighting, and may well lead to the ejection of young or older bucks from the colony.

Pied Crows

There are several carrion crows in the local area that have splashes of white on their wings. One in particular always catches the eye as its wings are almost completely white.
These birds are undoubtedly related and are illustrating a common mutation. As the crows in this area have few predators, these markings are unlikely to disadvantage them in any way. This means that there is every likelihood that the number of discoloured birds will increase. It will certainly be interesting to see if that proves to be the case over the next few years.
I once saw a crow being chased by a goshawk. The crow cleverly headed for a large oak tree hoping to outmanoeuvre the hawk. Both birds entered the confines of the tree in rapid succession. The next things was a loud crack as a rotten bough was broken from the tree. The crow emerged unscathed from the far side of the tree, but there was no sign of the hawk. After a few minutes which I presume was time it needed to recover from its crash landing, the hawk flew off.

Singing Birds

After what seemed a protracted period when few birds were singing, they appear now to have re-found their voices.
Late summer tends to bring an end to the normal chorus of the birds and the onset of the moult prolongs this silence. This year the weather appears to have taken a further toll, until now.
The most frequently heard bird is undoubtedly the song thrush. I hear at least three individuals on my morning walk, which suggests a healthy local population. The robins, which until now, have confined themselves to a quiet sub-song are beginning to fully find their voice. They are increasingly being joined by hedge accentors and wrens.
The other bird that can frequently be heard to sing is the great tit. Many years ago I was given the valuable advice that if you hear a bird in winter that you cannot identify, it almost certainly will be a great tit. So far, that has always proven to be the case.

Water vole. At Last!

There is an elderly lady in the village who surreptitiously leaves out food for the birds. It is often small pieces of bread, but always in a relatively large quantity. She deposits this food in different places, but with a degree of consistency. One of the spots she chooses is in a small field near the stream just before it passes under the road. Coming passed this morning, I noticed the pile of bread and decided to wait a moment or two to see if anything should approach. Within a very short time, a brown creature emerged from the bank of the stream and scurried towards the bread. Grabbing a chunk, it quickly retraced its steps. I had no doubt whatsoever that this was a rat.
Watching the rat repeat the process, I noticed something else in the corner of my eye. At first sight, this appeared to be a juvenile rat. It was certainly smaller than the creature I had first seen, though of a similar colouration, a juvenile, I presumed.
The first thing that raised my suspicions, was the fact that it was taking a much more stealthy approach than the rather bold manner of the rat. Once it had a piece of bread it moved back to the stream and swam across the water. On its third visit, its retreat took it upstream, and whilst doing so, it flipped on its head and submerged with a 'plop'. This confirmed that what I was watching was in fact a water vole. Further observation confirmed this, especially on seeing that the ears of the rat were very prominent but those of the vole were hardly visible.
After two years of trying to see voles on this particular stream, I was finally rewarding on what is its most unprepossessing and most public stretch.
I intend to take some chopped apple along to see if I can lure it out again and perhaps get some photographs.

Just bought a woodland

Bought a woodland today. It is in East Sussex and is about 2.5 acres. Mainly comprising of young oak and birch trees, there are also some substantial trees of ash, beech and alder, besides a few straggly conifers.
It has taken a while for the legal processes to go through, but today was the first day I could visit the wood as my own.
I have plans to make this a conservation area, with the provision of nest boxes and a feeding area.
In the one hour I was there today, observed the following species: great tit; blue tit; goldcrest; jackdaw;crow;greater spotted woodpecker; song thrush; blackbird; redpolls and a robin.
There is also evidence of mammal activity including deer, badger, rabbit and squirrel.

Drunken Fieldfares

The ground was littered with apples, the air was full of the chattering of fieldfares.
I was in the old orchard by the mill stream and following a a good harvest, the apples were providing a welcome food source for these large thrushes from the north.
Fieldfares only tend to eat the apples once they have begun to rot. At this stage, they have softened allowing the birds to be able to devour the flesh of the fruit. But, the fruit has also begun to ferment and so there is also a risk that the birds will consume a significant amount of alcohol.
Whilst the weather remains mild, these birds are remaining quite shy. Once the cold weather hits, it is likely that they will start to come searching gardens for food. Having seen them as garden birds in Iceland, it seems strange that they should be so reluctant to come into contact with humans in their winter haunts.

Rowan Tree

When we had our conservatory installed, we did contemplate having the rowan tree removed. It is quite close and we were concerned that the berries might stain the roof. We retained the tree with a little judicious pruning.
 Besides the usual crowds of Starlings and Blackbirds, today saw a visit from a Song Thrush. But what did rather surprise me was to see the local cock Chaffinch also partaking of the fruit of the tree. It was clearly stripping the flesh from the stone and devoured several berries whilst I watched. Normally it would be feeding on the seeds spread from the feeders onto the ground, usually a consequence of the picky House Sparrows, clearly it felt the need for a change of diet.
It is not that unusual to discover finches feeding on fruit. Even more astonishing was the instance I saw a number of years ago when a small flock of Goldfinches descended on the neighbourhood's ornamental cherry trees. I was intrigued to discover that they were indeed eating the berries. Even with their specialist beaks designed for extracting seeds from thistles, teazles and the like, they were able to manipulate these fruits to enable them to consume the flesh.

Fog and ice

As I walked back with Dylan this evening the ice fronds were forming on car windscreens and the pavements became slippery. This is no season of mists and mellow fruitfulness but rather one of fogs and frost and ice.
Yet, when the sun does emerge it is possible to see clouds of midges as the temperature rises. So, we have days of real contrast.
 At first light I was down by the stream and saw one of the Little Egrets standing in the middle of the water, but, not where I am accustomed to seeing it, down in the wooded section of the water-course, but under the bridge than spans the stream carrying the bypass. This beautiful bird whose previous existence in this country was curtailed by those seeking to fulfil the needs of fashion, (feathers); has thankfully returned, but I wonder if it has fully adjusted to the straits of the climate. Underneath the roadway is undoubtedly an area protected from the extreme cold and may well have offered this bird much needed shelter.

Little Grebe

Watched a pair of Little Grebes in the lake outside of the tropical house at Wisley. It is such a small bird that it seems unlikely that it can survive its watery environment in the depths of our winter. Clearly their feathers and the fish diet they enjoy, provides them with sufficient insulation.
A pair of these birds often frequent a local small lake which has a stream running from it. They can sometimes be seen in this stream and will then often swim under water. It is a curious sight to look down upon them for they have an almost reptilian appearance when seen in this way.
Even given our knowledge of science, sentimentality seems to play a major role in our view of the world. Today we saw low lying mist across the field. Fully understanding the meteorological conditions that created that effect failed to efface the ethereal quality that made the scene appear almost unreal. Beauty transcends science in our emotional responses to such scenes.

Birds out of Context

It is December and today I heard a Skylark singing.
I have previously heard them in the winter, in fact, one year I listened to an individual on New Year's Day. This particular instance is very much a response to the extraordinarily mild weather we are experiencing. Today, the sun shone and the temperature rose, such that, I worked my allotment without a jacket.
Saturday saw me once again in Belgium. Driving back and upon joining a motorway I had to look twice to confirm that what I was looking at was a group of half a dozen Curlew. These birds were feeding on a grassy area of only about twenty meters width lying between the motorway and the access road. Oblivious to vehicles speeding past on either side, they clearly were able to find plenty of food.
For me the Curlew represents summer in the wild areas of the Black Mountains of Wales, where their calls in the early morning would welcome me to the hills. Otherwise, they can be seen wintering on the coast. I never expected to see them on the verge of a motorway.
But my surprise had hardly subsidised when I saw a Cattle Egret in a field beside the road. The last time I saw one of these birds was in October in South Africa.
It rained yesterday. There was hardly a cloud in the sky and the nearest must have been some five miles distant, yet, as I crossed the field with Dylan and Stuart, the latter pointed out that there was rain falling. It was only when I shaded my eyes and looked towards the sun, that, sure enough, drops of rain could be seen descending.

Eight House Sparrows

The House Sparrows come regularly to the feeding station in the garden. There are never more than eight there at any one time. This I presume to be the resident pair and their young from this year. It is interesting to note that when it comes to dominant behaviour on the feeders, it is always the females that win out. This may be a genetic modification to ensure that the birds that need most of the feed get what they need.
The House Sparrow is generally seen as a very humdrum bird and so familiar that it was often taken for granted. I well recall listening to the sound of young birds in the nest as a child, the parents each year adopting a cavity in the wall beside my bedroom.
Recently I walked through the streets of Walthamstow with not a sparrow to be seen. This tells a sorry tale of how the House Sparrow has largely disappeared from our towns and cities. The reason, almost certainly the lack of small insect life (greenfly, etc) that are needed in the feeding of young during the first few days of their life. The removal of the sort of plants that foster such insects, the spraying of plants and the concreting of front gardens has ensured that the House Sparrow cannot survive in the very environment in which they previously thrived.
It may be a drab bird at first sight, but the House Sparrow has real character and I am very pleased that this little group frequents my garden.

Jackdaws

I sometimes have the impression that birds are capable of getting enjoyment from their ability to fly. This is especially apparent on a windy day such as today. To see birds flying into the wind, diving and weaving to try to make progress and then, suddenly change direction and fly downwind, appears to be more than a pragmatic decision.
I observed this behaviour in a large flock (up to fifty individuals) who suddenly broke formation and descended upon the field I was walking through. Calling all the time, the Jackdaws always make their presence very apparent to anyone within hearing distance.
My early interest in Jackdaws came from reading the work of the animal behaviour expert: Konrad Lorenz. He reared some young birds to be better able to observe their behaviours. He delighted in their flying abilities and I always wanted to get to know this bird, though they were extant in the area of Lancashire where I grew up.
Later, living in Wales, I had the greatest pleasure from owning a house that lay along the Jackdaw's daily flight path. What an amazing clarion call to announce the start and end of each day as large numbers of these birds fly to and from their roosting site.

Bullfinches

I live in what is known as the Garden of England. This emanates from the number of fruit farms in this area. For the most part, these are orchards, though increasingly, with the use of poly tunnels, the range of fruits extends to strawberries, raspberries, etc..
As you might imagine, the Bullfinch is seen to be an enemy of the fruit farmer. They do feed on fruit buds and it is still possible for farmers to acquire licenses to shoot these beautiful birds. Although quite plentiful, I have yet to see  bullfinches in a flock. Small parties of family groups, can be come across in the summer months, but by now, they have invariably separated into pairs as such, I cannot believe that they can do much damage to the acres of orchards that cover much of this part of the county.
The way in which these pairs maintain contact is through a repetition of a short whistle. In recent weeks, I have frequently heard this call, though it is much more difficult to actually spot the birds. In days gone by, the male bird, sporting its beautiful pink breast, was a popular cage bird, noted also for its ability to mimic the whistles of its owner. This is strange, as I have never heard Bullfinch song that displayed the ability to mimic other birds. In fact, the male's song is very quiet and rarely heard. A mixture of notes and warbles, it is quite attractive but you need to be very close by to hear it.
This is a good year for the Bullfinch and, the main reason for this I believe, is because of the very heavy harvest of blackberries.I am sure that the birds consume some of the blackberries whilst the fruit is ripe, but, the main attraction of this fruit for the birds, comes when the berries are dried but remain on the stalk, for it is the seeds of the fruit that the Bullfinch really relishes and at this stage, these become more readily available to the birds.

Night Drive

I love driving along country lanes in the dark. The reason: the wildlife that can be seen.
Last night was such an occasion, and, although I sometimes draw a complete blank, that was far from the case. First sighting was of a fox, soon followed by a badger. each of these could first be seen by the reflection of my headlights in their eyes. Then a mouse ran across the road, soon after to be followed by a rat which was attempting to scale a bank before my approach.
Later I was quite astonished to see two foxes together on the road. As I slowed to see what they were about they confronted each other and began fighting. They did not engage in the sort of fox boxing that is frequently observed between male and female, with each fox on hind legs sparring with each other; rather these two were rolling over and over and seemed to mean real business. I suspect therefore that they were two males contesting a territory.
The problem with this form of wildlife viewing of course is that you are not often able to stop and really observe what is happening, but for seeing creatures that you might not otherwise readily see, it has a great deal to offer.

Christmas Bunny

It is a well known fact that rabbits are capable of breeding throughout the year. I have never previously seen a baby in December, but this afternoon I did.
The local Lakes hold a quite large population of rabbits and it seems that at almost any time of day, you are likely to see one or two. Today, on a typically cold and grey early December afternoon, we saw several adult rabbits and then had a huge surprise when we saw a baby. Fortunately, Dylan did not see it or it may not have survived for much longer.
There are so many ways in which the weather this year has failed to comply with the normal seasonal patterns and this very late autumn has been no exception. Rabbits will respond in their breeding cycle to the environment. The grass is still growing and this female clearly has been duped into thinking that spring has arrived. If the weather had turned colder as is expected by the end of the week, then it is likely that the pregnancy would have been ended or delayed within the womb for this is something that rabbits are capable of, but the relatively mild weather has induced this birth.
Also saw a Reed Bunting beside the largest lake, which is a first for this site.

Shovelers

Yesterday I drove twenty miles to Bough Beech to see interesting wildfowl; this morning I walked down to the local lake and within minutes saw a small flock of Shoveler Ducks. These ducks can be found here in small numbers in the summer, but it is likely that these birds are migrants form the north. They soon took to the air when their extraordinarily large beaks become very apparent. They are surface feeders, sifting the water for small invertebrates and some vegetable matter. On the same stretch of water, the number of Pochard had increased significantly. This small lake would be absolutely idyllic but for the fact that the M20 motorway runs nearby. With your ears covered, you could easily be beside one of the many small lakes in the Algonquin. The waterside reeds could hold a population of Bearded Reedlings but, unfortunately none have been found there as yet.

Bough Beech

As I approached the reservoir, I was welcomed by the evocative whistle of the Widgeon. These birds had probably flown down from Scandinavia, though this appeared to be a relatively small group, unlike the large number of geese present. The ones that I could positively identify were Greylag Geese.
How different these birds were to the ones found on the local gravel pit. These were clearly migrants and were truly wild. Walking beyond the reserve on the public footpaths, I got some good views, but, at one stage the birds were disturbed (possibly by the sight of Dylan (dog). A huge clattering sound ensued, as over a hundred birds suddenly took to the air. The birds soon settled back down and settled into very definable separate flotillas. The sound of their calling was reminiscent of wilder places than this Kent reservoir, but a magnificent sight for all that.
Walking across the fields I came across a mixed flock of Rewings and Fieldfares feeding on the Sloe berries. A buzzard floated over whilst underfoot was evidence of the passage of several deer. It was another grey day but enlightened by the delights of the natural world.

Mistle Thrush

Saw a Mistle Thrush chasing a Wood Pigeon. The pigeon was no threat to the thrush but at this time of year, the Mistle Thrush can become very territorial. They are the earliest of the thrushes to breed, and although it will be two or three months before they have eggs, this pair are clearly keen on establishing their territory even at this early stage in the proceedings. They get their name of course, from their habit of eating Mistletoe. This plant grows in profusion in this area though. for the most part, it is unreachable, often growing at a great height amongst the poplars. This is a common tree as it was used in past years by the fruit growers as a wind break. The thrushes will have no difficulty in reaching the white berries and when they pass the seeds through their digestive system, or, wipe their beaks to get rid of the sticky residue from the berry, they help to propagate the plant on new trees and branches.
These thrushes have not been doing well recently in the UK and so it is pleasing to see that a pair continues to occupy this area and is preparing for another breeding season.

Moles

Back in Kent and find that the moles have been very active in my absence. It may well be that the drier weather has left the soil in a better condition for their burrowing. The piles of soil they produce (mole hills). are there to allow air to be drawn into the tunnel for ventilation purposes. If you find an extra large mole hill in the spring or early summer, this could be where the young have been born.
I have a discovered more than one dead mole on the surface this year. I suspect that they have been killed by foxes. The fox will kill a mole but refuse to eat it. It is generally thought that this has something to do with the fur of the mole which apparently is unpleasant for the fox when it attempts to swallow the carcass.
The major enemy of the mole is man. In one nearby field, traps are regularly put out with a fair degree of success, which limits the numbers of moles in that particular field. I quite like them, and believe that they are important elements to our eco-system, particularly as they aerate the land. Some of them will shortly be making their annual migration to the woods where they seem to be better able to survive the rigours that winter brings.

Symonds Yat

The river flows quickly, forcing the Mallard to seek the little backwaters. Only the odd Cormorant is seen in the main stream.
The real interest at this time of year can come as evening closes in. Walking last night through the woods that skirt the river, I was regaled with a chorus of Tawny Owls. Now is the time for these birds to be establishing their territories and they repeatedly called across the valley. The woods here, both on the Gloucestershire side of the river and on the Herefordshire side, are old and mixed. They offer a range of nesting opportunities for the owls, whilst the wide forest rides afford a good environment for their main prey; voles. They may be hard to see, although one bird has a habit of nesting in a tree that overhangs the entrance to one of the many caves in the area, so listening to them on a cold night can be the main means of counting these birds. Driving round to Symonds Yat Rock this morning, hoping to catch sight of a a Peregrine Falcon, we witnessed a Buzzard on a road kill Pheasant. As the car approached, the bird tried in vain to drag its meal away. I am sure it quickly returned to its meal once we had passed,

Forest of Dean

Spent most of today in the Forest of Dean. Walked for miles, first in the Speech House woods and then in the Sculpture Trail. Failed to see any wild boar.
Everywhere you walk there is evidence of the presence of these creatures. They are incredible earth movers and wherever the ground is soft enough, they will have used their snouts to plough into it. Road and path side verges are particularly prone to their attentions. A close examination of one area revealed several large acorns and some sweet chestnuts, so, the motivation for their landscaping activities is very apparent. But although evidence for their abundant presence is everywhere to be seen, I have yet to set eyes on one. They are largely nocturnal and tend to lie up in hollows and areas of deep bracken  to avoid detection during daylight hours.
One thing I did see in the late afternoon sun was a flock of Crossbills. Known to frequent this area they were still a very pleasant surprise. The flock consisted of both males resplendent in their red plumage and rather more subtly coloured green females. I did not witness their unique form of feeding as these birds were more intent on flying down to a small pool to drink. They can be found breeding very early in the year and could well disperse into their pairs in the next few weeks. I hope to be back to witness their mating displays.

Journeying

The natural world impinges upon our lives, even in the most unexpected of places. Stopping at the Chieveley Services on the M4, we ate sandwiches in the car watching three rabbits feeding on a nearby plantation. Before long, a Red Kite flew over, though this did not disturb the rabbits in any way. Otherwise, it soon became apparent when taking Dylan for some exercise, that another form of rodent makes its home around the service area; rats. These unwelcome visitors were evident from a number of holes in the embankment and the numerous bait stations that were strategically placed. The amount of rubbish that collects around the periphery of the area is no doubt one of the attractions for these creatures, and it beholds the company to take more care of their immediate environment.
Two more Red Kites were seen low over the motorway as we continued our journey west. These birds have been introduced from Sweden and from once being an extremely rare sight, they are now commonly seen across many parts of the country.
As we got close to our destination, we came across a field presenting a most extraordinary sight. Dotted around the field must have been thirty to forty Mute Swans. Close to the river it may have been but such a collection of these birds is very unusual in my experience.

Greylag Geese

I took Dylan down to the lakes at dusk today and was immediately rewarded with the sight of skeins of Greylag Geese taking off from the water to seek out night time feeding grounds. Calling as they went, and flying towards the sunset, this was a truly wild experience.
A little later, mixed flocks of Jackdaws, Rooks and Crows flew in the opposite direction, the evocative contact calls of the Daws the only audible sound. The rabbits were emerging from their hiding places though these had been drastically reduced by the Park authorities who had mown many of the areas of rough ground. Tall grasses, and teazles were cut down to produce a sterile area. Some magpies and gulls were taking the opportunity to scour the ground to discover what tasty morsels the mower might have revealed. The behaviour was reminiscent of the birds in other parts of the world who pick off insects and small creatures escaping an oncoming bush fire. I trust that the herbage will regrow in time to provide cover for the Whitethroats which inhabit this area through spring and summer. The cuttings have been piled up to provide large compost heaps, which themselves should provide a habitat for some creatures.

Fieldfares

A flock of thirty to forty Fieldfares flew over today, by far the largest group I had seen this autumn. Whilst the ground remains unfrozen, these birds will generally feed on the open pastures, finding invertebrates. Seeing them moving across a field is like watching a group of clockwork toys. They tend to be evenly spaced and each bird will move approximately the same distance and in the same direction. That seems to be a very efficient way to cover an area of ground leaving few parts unexamined. These are quite large thrushes, similar in size to the Mistle Thrush and therefore considerably larger than either the Redwing or Song Thrush.
These birds were almost certainly from northern Scandinavia. I have observed them in Iceland, where they are birds of the tundra, nesting on the ground. Their plumage appears to be very colourful when set against our green fields, but in their breeding haunts, they blend well with the brown and grey background. I have also seen them breeding in Reykjavik, where they adopt behaviour very similar to our nesting thrushes. If you cannot identify them by sight, their characteristic chattering call is unlike any other bird and is uttered when either on the ground or in flight.
They have been recorded breeding in northern Scotland, but otherwise, are winter visitors to our shores.

6 Blackbirds

The day started with some of the worst weather of the autumn so far, strong winds and heavy rain. As I sat in the warmth of the conservatory I was astonished to see six Blackbirds fly into our relatively small garden. Given that there was a great deal of chasing backwards and forwards, I suspect that the resident pair was desperately attempting to protect their territory. All in all, there were four cocks and two hens. I have never previously seen more than three Blackbirds together in the garden. It soon became apparent what was attracting these interlopers as they joined several Starlings in our Rowan tree and began to devour the berries.
It is very likely that some of these birds were migrants from the continent, temporarily boosting the numbers and exploiting the rich harvest of wild fruits that currently abound the hedgerows and gardens. They did not stay long possibly due to the defensive tactics of the resident pair.

Pochard

I went down to the Hotel lake today and saw a flotilla of about twelve Pochard. Amongst the usual crowd of Mallard, Coots and Moorhens, the Pochard stood out. This can be particularly said of the males with their beautiful red/brown heads in contrast to their silvery grey backs.
It was a lovely autumnal day with blue skies and a crisp atmosphere, the new ducks are a further indication that winter is on its way. These individuals have probably flown in from Russia and are likely spend the winter here. They feed mainly on small fish and crustacea and will probably find plenty of food in the lake.
Beside the lake is a flooded wood and the tangled mass of trees and their branches provides excellent cover for Mallard who seem to delight in dabbling amongst these dark shaded places.

Magpies

There are few birds around at the moment. The winter migrants have only just begun to show. I have seen a small flock of Fieldfare and a small flock of Redwings within the last week, but the Chaffinches which normally abound at this time of year have yet to appear and the flocks of goldfinches which just a few weeks ago were feeding on the thistles have dispersed.

One bird you can guarantee to see is the ubiquitous Magpie. The population of this species has mushroomed over the last twenty years. There could be numerous reasons for this, but in this area, I suspect that the fall in gamekeeper control has been a major factor.

The Magpie is in many ways an enigma. Seen in sunlight, the full splendour of its glossy plumage becomes apparent. No longer simply the pied bird with a long tale; the blues and greens give it a hint of the tropical. But, make no mistake, there is nothing romantic about this bird, which regularly predates the nests of other birds, taking both eggs and young. But, it does not stop there. This last summer I witnessed a Magpie attacking young Starlings. These were fully fledged birds in their first day or two out of the nest. The Magpie repeatedly flew at a youngster, aiming its beak at the head of the immature bird. As much as the young Starling attempted to escape, the Magpie pursued it relentlessly and the end result was inevitable. 

So, it may be beautiful, it can be very sociable amongst its own kind, but it is also an opportunistic killer.

Trout

The little stream that borders the wood, is running quite high but very clear at the moment. I was delighted this morning to see a trout in one of the slower moving sections of water. Not large, probably no more than 8 inches, it was nevertheless a very welcome sight. I have previously seen larger specimens  upstream of this point where the stream still flows through the sluices of a now defunct water mill, but none previously in this wooded section. As I also saw the Little Egret again, it appears that the stream offers a great deal of Crustacea and small fish to provide food for these predators.
The stream has some holes in its banks very reminiscent of the holes made by water voles. I have yet to see one here and it appears to be a most unprepossessing environment for these creatures. I have only previously come across them where running water flows through open ground and, in the wood, there is little opportunity for rushes and the like to grow. Although the voles can be quite catholic in their food tastes, there is little at all here on offer for them. Near the mill stream, there is reputedly a small population of voles, though I have yet to see one there. I shall continue to keep a watch out for them. The usual indication of their presence is when you here a 'plop' as they submerge. So, I shall keep my eyes and ears open.

Greenfinch

I saw a Greenfinch today. Nothing extraordinary in that you might think; for, this usually common finch has become a regular visitor to garden feeding stations. However, this was the first of its kind I have seen for some months. The reason for this is that the local population appear to have been decimated by the disease Trichomonosis. This fatal ailment is spread by a parasite that lives in the throat and crop of the bird and is spread through bird to bird contact and also through sick birds regurgitating food that then becomes available to others.
The spring and summer in these parts are usually the time when the nasal call of the male greenfinch becomes a general background sound, with dozens of pairs nesting in the locality. The male also engages in a courtship and territorial display flight which makes his presence very apparent. Alas, not one bird has been displaying in this way over the last summer months. It is only to be hoped that this attractive and accommodating finch will prove to be ultimately resilient to the disease and will rapidly re-colonise its old haunts.

North Downs

The Downs lie just a few miles east of the village. It would be a pleasant walk but for the fact that the M20 motorway lies in the valley between.
I usually walk on the downs when I make a visit to the allotment and need to walk Dylan. We cross rolling fields, which this year have been planted with oil seed rape. These fields are never ploughed between crops, but simply harrowed and sown, using a three crop rotation with wheat or barley and field beans as the two other crops. The rape this year has grown very rapidly in the mild weather, though seed germination appears to have been more spasmodic than is usually the case.
There was a cold wind blowing from the north today and I was thankful to be well wrapped up. As I approached the downs a buzzard, harassed by three crows, drew my attention. These birds disappear from the scene for much of the summer but as now, reappear in the winter. Until recent years, I would have had to travel to Wales or the west country to see these birds, but they have gradually spread further east with each passing year and they undoubtedly now breed in this area. With less persecution, an increased number of rabbits providing a food source, and the elimination of pesticides which weakened their egg-shells, these birds now prosper. It is great to see them effortlessly riding the up draft as the the prevailing wind hits the downs. The turf below them is short cropped due entirely to the efforts of the rabbit population and so the predatory birds should have no difficulty finding sufficient sustenance to see them through the cold months.

Little Egret

Two unusual things happened on my morning walk today. First of all, just a few days after writing that there seemed to be a dearth of hedgehogs this year, I found a second carcass. Sadly this was clearly a young animal and it is possible that it had not attained a weight sufficient to maintain it throughout its hibernation. The weather this autumn has been exceptionally mild, which may well explain why a hedgehog should be out and about well after their usual date for seeking a cosy place to spend the winter. The fact that this was clearly an immature specimen proves that the local population did manage to breed this year, which, given the fact that I had only seen one throughout the whole of the summer is a very pleasant surprise.
Walking beside the stream, I was astonished to see a spectral shape rise to the sky, almost spiralling upwards through the trees. The heron-like shape quickly enabled me to identify this bird as a Little Egret. These birds have, over the last few years, begun to colonise the UK and are, from my perspective, a most welcome addition to our fauna. However, I did not expect to see one so close to home and in a situation that does not appear to hold much attraction for such a bird. Clearly the stream has more to offer in terms of the creatures that live within it, than I had given it credit for.
This evening brought forth a most spectacular sunset.

Encounter with a Swan

Dylan has a tendency to chase any creature that will run from him (though as far as other dogs are concerned, he much prefers to be chased). On visits to the lakes, he sometimes has to be restrained to prevent him from chasing the Canada geese that congregate in large numbers. Recently, he saw something moving amongst the reeds that grow along the stream that meanders between the lakes. Without warning he leapt after what was probably a moorhen. He is no longer frightened of water, but generally prefers to paddle and has rarely swum. It was a shock, I suspect to both of us, when he plunged into the middle of the stream to be momentarily completely submerged. My only concern was that he would have difficulty scrambling up the far bank, but he managed this to emerge a cold and bedraggled dog.
Yesterday, having almost completed a circuit of some of the lakes, he sped off just out of sight. I went to investigate to discover him circling a large, though still immature swan. This bird, unusually, was on dry land and, it was not amused. With outstretched wings and furious hissing, it was keeping Dylan at a safe distance. The dog, for his part, considered it great fun and I doubt very much that he realised the true extent of the danger. Fortunately, the lure of the offer of a biscuit was enough to draw him to a safety.

Rabbits

The field adjoining the wood I habitually refer to as the 'rabbit field'. Apparently, it has been left uncultivated and without pasturage for some years, as it was purchased by a speculator, who then sold off small lots when there was actually no possibility of it being built upon. As such, it has many different owners and the local council is powerless to do anything about it. It is therefore, pretty much left for dog-walking and grazing by rabbits.
This past summer saw an explosion in the rabbit population. Some evenings, at dusk, I would see fifty or sixty rabbits all grazing together and when they moved towards a warren on the edge of the wood, it almost appeared as if the field itself was on the move.
Dylan is half border collie and half whippet. He is very interested in the rabbits, but, he is confused. He wants to chase them but also wishes to herd them. When he springs a rabbit from long grass he will give chase and is equal in speed to to his quarry but, if the rabbit should make a fast turn, as is their wont, the dog is immediately left wanting. Sometimes he even appears to be genuinely confused ("Where did that go?")
 I have seen evidence of myxamatosis amongst the rabbits and this is one of the means by which their numbers are

controlled. The local fox population and occasional visits by buzzards undoubtedly are the main reason why their numbers tend to plummet over the winter only to start up again come the warmer days of spring. This picture shows Dylan with his nose down a rabbit hole.

The Pheasant is dead

Not surprisingly, I discovered the carcass of a dead pheasant in the middle of the road this morning. It was almost certainly the same bird as seen flying down the road the other day. There is a mass slaughter of pheasants on our roads at this time of year. When, in the past, I travelled country lanes into work, I would regularly find dead birds, some of which would end up in the pot. The real waste comes when the birds demise occurs on a motorway, for, anyone considering collecting them as road kill would undoubtedly be risking their own lives, besides breaking the law.
Another waste this autumn has been due to the large quantity of fungi that has gone unpicked. It has been a very productive year; the mild weather combined with sufficient wet weather ensuring the growth of these fruiting plants. Yesterday I consumed a lovely horse mushroom for lunch, and, in earlier weeks I have enjoyed parasol mushrooms and one day collected so many field mushrooms from a nearby nature reserve that I have many of them in soup form in my freezer. Most of these mushrooms were discovered growing on the grass areas in the car park of the reserve and had clearly been fruiting there for some time without being picked.
It is understandable that people should be cautious about this matter, and in France, where collecting is a much more common occurrence, so are fatalities from poisoning. But, if you take care and try some simple tests and only eat the fungi you can be one hundred percent certain of identifying correctly, there should be no problem. Having said that, even after watching me eat them, Daphne, my partner, utterly refuses to partake.

Parakeets

As the village where I live has no allotments, I have to travel about four miles to another village. This means that my allotment is at the foot of the North Downs. I use the plot to grow fruit and vegetables, but, as I have only had it for just over a year and it had previously been uncultivated for several years, I have yet to harvest anything substantial other than potatoes.
This morning was dry and the sun struggled to show itself on occasion, so, I took the opportunity to visit the allotment and spent a couple of hours weeding my asparagus plot amongst other tasks. Usefully employed in this way, I was quite taken aback when I heard a sound which, though familiar to me, had not been witnessed for some time. It was strange, in that this familiar sound did not at first register, it was just a strange bird call, and it was only when two ring-necked parakeets flew across the allotments that the identification finally dawned. Having previously lived in a south London suburb, I was accustomed to the screeches of these birds, indeed they regularly nested in a neighbouring garden, and each dusk it became possible to see small flocks flying over as they headed for their communal roosts.
In many ways, they are delightful birds, adding a real splash of colour to our native fauna, but there is a major downside. Not what you might expect, for I have yet to see them feeding on fruit trees, but they are tree hole nesters and the population of starlings in south London plummeted with their arrival. This fall in numbers may have been due to other factors, but there is little doubt that the parakeets could easily bully the smaller starlings out of their normal nest sites.
It will be interesting to see whether this was just a visitation, (some thirty miles south of where I usually see the parakeets), or, as is more likely, that this is the advance guard of an invasion force.

Pheasants

The other evening as dusk was approaching, Dylan (the dog) and myself flushed a cock pheasant from high in the trees at the edge of the wood. This morning another pheasant (probably the same one) flew from the wood and down the road. It was flying down the middle of the road at just above car height. If a truck or bus had approached, the pheasant would have been killed and other consequences could have been substantial.
At this time of year, the local 'shoots' are in the process of releasing pheasants from the release pens. These birds have little or no idea about survival in the wild. They continue to be fed, and can easily become silly tame. They also wander from their release site. The wood lies well over a mile from the nearest shoot. They have been known to turn up in gardens even in the middle of housing estates.
I have to be careful with Dylan, as these birds tend to run and then fly low over the fields, he is a natural hunter (or, half of one anyway), and so gives chase. He has caught a cock pheasant in the past, but as I do not wish to be accused of poaching, I try to avoid a repeat performance.
These are not native birds of course, reputedly having been brought to the UK by the Romans. I personally doubt that without the regular replenishment of stocks that they would become a permanent feature in our landscape, not, at least in this part of the world. For, although I do sometimes come across broods that have clearly been wild-reared, the number of tooth and claw ranged against them in not inconsiderable.

Today has been yet another wet and blustery day. But the plus side of all this wet weather has been the mild temperatures that have generally prevailed. As a consequence, I have recently seen flowering plants of both red and white campions, evening primrose and even oxeye daisies. All of these plants would normally have gone to seed by now and be returning to their seasonal dormant state.
No doubt the small mammals such as the dormouse stand to benefit as the young in particular will have had more time to add the necessary body weight to see them through the winter. Bats too will have more nights in which to fly and feed. Unfortunately the last winter appears to have sadly depleted the numbers of hedgehogs, and whereas in recent years, several have been seen in the area including our back garden, this year only one male was seen and a few days later, a body (almost certainly the same animal) was to be found by the side of the road.
Just two days ago, I was able to pick one pound of blackberries. I have never done that before in November. Admittedly, these particular plants are unusual even this year. They grow mostly in the shade and the plants hang down from an overgrown (up to 20 feet high) privet hedge. I have yet to see any winter migrant birds, apparently because there is a good berry crop in their native lands; when they do arrive they should find plenty of berries here as the native birds are not consuming them, presumably this is because there are plenty of other foods still available to them.

Spent much of today in France and Belgium. The weather was terrible, with rain and a cold wind. The only bright note was the sight of a field almost covered in Lapwings. These birds have become uncommon in the UK so to see a flock of around 500 all feeding together was something to take especial note of. Seeing these birds took me back to my childhood days in Lancashire. I lived with the Pennines behind the house and the Lancashire/Cheshire plain in front. The local dairy farmer would reseed one of his field each year (a different field each time). Whilst the field was awaiting the new shoots of grass, the lapwings would nest. In a three acre field you could expect to find three or four nests. Discovering the nests was extremely difficult as, although they are merely a shallow scrape in the ground with just a minimal lining of dead grasses, the eggs are very well camouflaged. The other problem was that we would be bombarded by the adult birds who came very close to our heads in their attempts to drive us off the field.
I recently read a scientific paper which suggested that the ideal nesting site for lapwings was a field with a certain degree of slope; I can testify that each year the lapwings bred successfully on a completely flat field. Today in the UK, these birds are mainly considered to be wetland species, but in essence they used to thrive on farmland and it was in such an environment in mid-Wales that I first saw young birds fresh from the nest. These balls of fluff on long legs, are very difficult to spot, and it only becomes possible should they move. I hope to see the return of this species to its former haunts but suspect that there needs to be a significant change in farming practices for that to happen.

The lakes

The British weather is notorious for its variety. Last night brought a veritable deluge and I awoke this morning to another grey dismal day, but within a couple of hours, the sky cleared to a beautiful sunny spectacle.
A five minute drive from the village lies a series of lakes. Only one of the them is of any real size, as they originated as gravel pits. Whilst the largest is utilised for water sports, the remainder are left to nature and the anglers. There is a stream flowing between some of the lakes and this had flooded its banks in places. Some of the footbridges over this stream only just managed to remain above the water level. The area between the lakes are partly left as scrub, and at the right time of year, these can abound with warblers including nightingales. For the moment, the only birds in this area were a few goldfinches, some green woodpeckers, the odd jay and the usual assortment of crows and magpies. The larger stretches of water held some small flotillas of tufted duck, otherwise, there were large numbers of coot, seagull (black headed) and the odd great crested grebe.

Sometimes there is no need to leave your home in order to enjoy what the natural world has to offer. This morning was a case in point. First of all, as I sat eating breakfast in the conservatory, a large heron flew across my view. Landing on a nearby rooftop, it was reminiscent of the storks I have seen in the Czech Republic. These birds often come into the village as a number of gardens, including mine, have small ponds, and, including their natural prey, of frogs and small native fish, they are able to supplement their diet with goldfish. The old gravel pits that lie nearby offer far greater opportunities for these birds, but this one was obviously seeking new sources of food.
Shortly following this encounter, my attention was drawn to a large black bird being chased across the sky by a seagull. It is quite possible that the bird in question was a raven, for, outside of the breeding season, they are sometimes to be seen in this area which is certainly not their natural scene. I can only presume that the bird being chased was carrying food and was being harassed by the seagull in the hope that it would jettison whatever it held. I have not seen this behaviour inland before but can see no other likely explanation.

Woodpeckers

A family of Green Woodpeckers have been around the common for the last few months. There appear to have been four young in the nest and these immature birds, with their dull plumage have remained near their nest site. The wood does not hold many woodpeckers, or nuthatches as the majority of the trees are relatively young and do not provide suitable timber for boring nesting holes. But clearly, one pair have again managed to raise a brood. Most people think of woodpeckers as arboreal creatures, but you are far more likely to see a green woodpecker on the open ground, though they will quickly fly into a tree once disturbed. The reason for this is because their main source of food is provided by the ants which nest in the ground. So these birds spend hours hopping around on their short legs looking for these small creatures and other invertebrates. It will be some time yet before they adopt the more colourful plumage of the adult bird, and then it will become an easier matter to sex them. The red on the head of the male a clear indication.

Wet morning

The Scots have a good word for it: 'dreek'. Growing up on the western slopes of the Pennines, I learned to call this weather 'mizzle', a mixture of 'drizzle and mist. Whatever the name, this is miserable weather. I walk the dog most mornings before breakfast and it is often a delight to do so, but on a morning like this when visibility is limited, it is difficult to find much to commend it. It becomes a trudge through the woods and a plod across fields. There were two rabbits abroad this morning which is unusual, but then I have often considered that rabbits are particularly sensitive to approaching weather. If the rabbits are seen feeding during broad daylight, there is every chance that it will rain later. These two feeding at such a late hour,following a wet night, could suggest that the rain is set for the rest of the day and  they were getting a feed in whilst they could,.

We refer to this as our green and pleasant land, but, without the rain and the mild weather it brings, the land would be neither green nor pleasant.

First frost

This morning brought the first frost of the winter. Just a slight dusting of the grass, but a chilling hint of what follows. I walked down to the village green for the first time this week and was surprised to see the number of branches shed by the stream side willows. The stream flows strongly but is almost blocked in places by all the storm debris.
Took Dylan to one of the local lakes, and the first thing I saw was a kingfisher. Seen against the morning sun, I could only see it in profile, but its unmistakable shape and call ensured an accurate identification.The sun reflecting on the still lake through rising mist brought recollections of my time in the Algonquin, though only little grebes were to be seen, not the majestic loons of that far off place. My reverie was broken by the noisy take-off of a pair of cormorants that had been perched close to the shore and as I emerged from the wood, my view also took in a small flotilla of tufted duck, and numerous coots.
Had to take several detours from the path to circumvent fallen trees.

Awoke this morning to a bright clear crisp autumnal day. The wood may not be devastated by the storm but there is damage enough. Debris lies everywhere and you need to be even more careful than is normally necessary when placing your feet to a'void being tripped by small branches. A few larger trees and a number of large limbs have also come down. An eroded footpath leading into the wood has recently been restored with considerable effort put into the placing of steps to allow easier access. This route is currently blocked by a large ash branch. It is noticeable that most of the trees that have gone over were those covered with ivy. This parasitic plant, is often said to do no harm to its hosts, but when the wind blows, its extra weight can prove fatal. But then, fallen trees provide  rotten wood and a good many invertebrates rely on this. The gaps produced in the canopy will allow for regeneration and the wood will continue to flourish as a habitat for creatures large and small.
The animals within the wood are likely to have escaped unscathed. The rabbits would have been underground during the storm, along with the badgers. The dormice whilst still active during this mild autumn, should have been safe in their coppice bottom nests, whilst the few birds to be found at this time of year (mainly robins and blackbirds), will have sought shelter low down in holly bushes and should not have been harmed.
Across the country, four deaths related to the storm show its intensity, and its potential for harm, but here its effects can be seen as a balance between the damage caused and the benefits from the clearing out of weak timbers.

Gusts of up to 99 miles per hour have been reported, but here in Kent the effects have been somewhat muted. I suspected that 66 miles per hour has been more likely.
The sky at one point was full of gulls, and although anthropomorphism is an anathema, they appeared to delight in displaying their aerobatic skills when flying into the wind, tacking and gliding to negligible effect. There were far more dog-walkers about than is usually the case, travel restrictions preventing many people from making their usual commute to work.
Two pergolas have been blown over in the garden, one wooden and the other a metal construction, I shall await the winds abating before attempting to remedy the situation
One bonus was that the road was strewn with cooking apples. I collected about 5 lbs in a short time and shall prepare, them before freezing in a stewed state.
I kept well shy of the woods, though there seems to have been little risk involved.

Nature Notes UK: I walk the wood most mornings. Dylan my border col...

Nature Notes UK: I walk the wood most mornings. Dylan my border col...: I walk the wood most mornings. Dylan my border collie/whippet cross accompanies me. This morning things have changed. Well-trodden pathways ...

I walk the wood most mornings. Dylan my border collie/whippet cross accompanies me. This morning things have changed. Well-trodden pathways are no longer familiar. There is no chance of my getting lost; the routes through the wood are far too well-known for that to happen, but habitual turnings have taken a new dimension. The cause of all this is the heavy fall of leaves in the night. A blustery downpour of rain has persuaded many of the trees that the time has arrived for them to finally give up their seasonal hold upon the canopy.
The wood is mainly comprised of sweet chestnut trees and although early indications had suggested a poor harvest, the floor is actually covered with very many brown nuts, though many are undersized. Nevertheless, I have collected enough for roasting on the open fire. But it is the new carpet of leaves that has fundamentally changed the character of the wood and made my twists and turns slightly more hesitant than is usually the case. This however is just a forewarning of what is likely for the morrow. The forecast is for gale force winds and this could well mean that my walk is curtailed. The chestnuts have very tall straight trunks which sway prodigiously in a strong wind, but, are likely to stay upright. I love to be out and feel the full force of nature in its many and varied aspects, but the risk has to be taken into account and a wood in a hurricane is not the safest place to be. The animals and birds should be largely unaffected, and from my selfish perspective, there should be plenty of fallen timber to help me supply the fire.