Survey at the end of October - dark skies , bright fruits

The 30th October 2020 was probably not the best of days to choose for a survey but was typical for this time of the year.

Very low light levels were expected but misty rain early on cleared somewhat and it became brighter but remained overcast. Healthy Ash leaves had been falling and formed a scattered bright carpet whilst Hazel and Hornbeam leaves were turning colour, most remaining on the trees. Under the oaks fallen acorns had ripened and crunched underfoot. The river was high and fast-flowing, the highest it has been since early this year, and water was visible in the ponds.

Crab apples added to the brilliant reds of Rose hips, the fruits of the many riverside Dog Rose plants, some growing incredibly high, an attraction for overflying birds. Spindle plants now suddenly became more visible with bright pink fruits appearing. Honeysuckle was still flowering on an old fence.

A dark sky fails to darken the riverside landscape here with shining red Guelder Rose berries. Note that the old oak in the background still retains its green leaves. October 30th 2020.

Nuthatches (3) were the first birds to be heard today, calling from the old Oaks, establishing territory.

Next were blackbirds (10), some foraging under a young bank side species-rich hedge. The blackbirds were just giving quiet contact calls rather than loud alarm calls until a magpie approached one.

House sparrows (76) were easily seen and heard, some singing in a hedge and about twenty active in a Blackthorn thicket. Further along there was a another colony at the other end of the long hedge, audible from quite a distance. 

 Goldfinches (7) were quietly singing in a low thicket unaware that a foe had just flown swiftly past, making a rapid change in direction, stooping directly down. The group flew up in a closed group, away from the trees. It was a raptor, too small and swift for a sparrow hawk. Later it was seen again, perched for a while on a tree with its back turned, looking over its shoulder - a Merlin?. It hasn't been seen since, having probably returned to fly low over the fields where there are flocks of small birds to chooses from.

Blue ts (11) and great ts (5) were seen in the trees, fewer than usual but perhaps this was due to the brief presence of the small raptor..as large roaming flocks of ts have been seen in the area on other days.

 A Jay was shrieking from an oak, its call by far the loudest, with another nearby answering back. As I walked under a large oak bough yet another Jay called out, and moved along the branch to give a good view of its very smart plumage.(total 3). Robins (23) were now singing in good form after a long summer. The dark grey skies are no problem for them, their large eyes being perfectly adapted to dark days and nights. Four dunnocks were seen, two in undergrowth and two exploring the footpath surface for insects. Most woodpigeons were out in the fields foraging but there were about 32 seen along the river, some dozing in the trees and the rest foraging groups on the damp grass.

A single magpie and a single herring gull were seen flying over whilst carrion crows(6) were calling from trees or foraging on a field.

Finally a song thrush was singing, just a short song at present.

and a large Bumblebee flew past - they are certainly still flying strongly.

These bright red Crab apples will last all through the 

winter as emergency sustenance for birds when most of the more palatable fruits have been eaten.