At this time of the year the hours of daylight rapidly dwindle meaning less foraging time for most.
Yesterday morning, 28th October 2016 was mostly sunny and mild, with a nuthatch calling, numerous blackbirds, almost certainly including some migrants from colder land, chasing each other through the dense Blackthorn and Hawthorn thickets, the most aggressive claiming the choicest berries and fruits. Below them the river was flowing clear but still as low as usual as no significant rainfall has occurred recently.
A great-spotted woodpecker flew over - they can be seen frequently here, most easily seen in flight, as are not yet drumming to advertise their presence.
The most common plants can produce the most brilliant autumn colours - here's a brilliant bramble.
A mixed bramble, hawthorn and blackthorn thicket this morning was full of activity, with blackbirds, robins, blue tits, great tits, goldfinches, long-tailed tits and rapidly moving goldcrests. These tiny birds were busy catching insects amongst the twigs of the deciduous plants and trees, very well camouflaged with olive-green plumage and bright yellow or yellow-orange crests, their colours merging in with the yellowing leaves and light and shade. They seldom stop moving however. Being mostly resident birds, they are within the tree cover all year round - but as the leaves fall, become more easily seen. They are often found in conifers - but forage amongst deciduous trees as well - whichever hold the richest supply of insects and spiders at the time.
Winter Migrants arrive….
Today, 29th October, it was dark and overcast all day, mild, with no wind. The afternoon was growing dark at about 3pm (and still British Summer Time!) when, looking up at the leaden sky, I saw two groups of about ten fieldfare each fly across the river. These are the first fieldfare I've seen here this autumn apart from one or two very distant high-flying birds - Winter is coming…..watch out!
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