Early October 2013, some highlights from the 2nd, 6th and 8th:
Suddenly, at the start of October, on 2nd, the thickets were full of birds, with hundreds of starlings hidden in the Blackthorn, quietly whistling amongst themselves and the old oaks full of blue and great tits foraging. A fine treecreeper made it's way along the oak branches and a second was heard calling nearby. Two nuthatch were seen and heard here with another further along and a bullfinch flew across the same thickets, together with house sparrows and chaffinches. Unseen by other birds, a sparrowhawk flew quickly across into a bush. It was mild and very humid after overnight rain, with no wind. As it brightened towards midday, many Speckled Wood butterflies were about, flying low over the river and spiralling high in the dappled shade of the river bank trees.
A Speckled Wood butterfly enjoying the sun on the river bank
Guelder Rose berries ripe for plucking - but there's a huge variety
of berries to choose from - which will the birds select first?
Another of the many Speckled Wood butterflies warming up
in its own patch of sunlight
On 6th October, a sunny day, no cloud , no wind and dew on the morning grass. River water clear and flowing normally as there had been little rain. Hazel leaves turning yellow, lots of rose hips, ivy beginning to flower, attracting many bee and wasp species. It was very quiet, with tiny high calls audible. The smell of autumn in the air and acorns crunching underfoot, plenty for jays and squirrels this year.
A short walk but interesting highlights - a kingfisher, calling, flew off from an old root overhanging the river, A nuthatch called and a silent treecreeper was seen foraging. 7 goldfinches were gathered in the Blackthorn hedge and 5 long-tailed tits in the same area. A blackcap in the Blackthorn gave an alarm call and a single chiffchaff flew calling into a willow. These were just the highlights, many more bird species were seen.
Amongst the long grasses, many small day-flying moths were seen and spiders had left the grasses and low branches strewn with long single strands of their webs.
A Brimstone butterfly was seen flying strongly across rough grass and several Speckled Wood butterflies were as usual flying amongst the riverside trees.
Several late dragonflies were seen - a Common Darter basking on a warm stony path, two Migrant Hawkers in different locations over the river, a strong-flying Southern Hawker and two Brown Hawkers - all taking advantage of the sheltered warm environment of the river.
Two days later, on 8th of October, conditions were similar but with a SW wind and colder weather on the way. The highlights were 2 brambling chasing from an old Oak into a Field Maple - a great view!
A kestrel was flying low over the river with a fine view of its markings in the sun - chased for a second by a magpie. A single chiffchaff was foraging in the ivy and a single blackcap was seen nearby in tangled undergrowth. Down on the river a juvenile moorhen was making its way along a fallen branch over the river to a sunny sheltered bank but the best today was a beautiful view of a grey wagtail perched on a riverbank stump. It flew off downstream hopping onto roots, stumps and branches in the river as it went, yellow colours glowing in the sun.
The usual speckled wood butterflies were present but I was surprised by a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly which came out of ivy on a tree, gliding straight over me, close up and soon afterwards a Hornet whizzed past, just as close.
