A real autumnal feeling for the morning’s patrol with mist out across the sea, a golden colour from the rays of low sunshine and a slight chill in the air.
To add to this the bird activity was very much of migration with many small flocks flying overhead, calling occasionally as they went.
Passing under a Hawthorn which was carrying a large growth of Ivy the sweet smell of the Ivy flowers could be smelt, on inspection a number of Ivy Bees – Colletes hederea were buzzing feeding on the abundance of nectar. Basking on the leaves of the Old Man’s Beard was a Red Admiral butterfly, while the waft of a gorgeous Honeysuckle flower also caught the nose !
A great view of a Green Woodpecker as it stood on the NW seat around the Great Globe, the suns catching the bright greens and yellows of this attractive bird.
Sweeping up and down a flock of Pied Wagtails, while a Meadow Pipits and Linnets more flying in a more direct route action. Lots of Goldfinches, including a charm which landed amongst the tops of the Wayfaring Tree, one per twig it seemed.
In the moth trap a few of the local October specialties including Sombre Brocade and Radford’s Flame Shoulder, plus the stark Black Rustic and the beautifully marked Lunar Underwings and Feathered Brindles. The cooler more starry night compared with yesterday making for a lesser haul in both number and species.
Skimming low above the water the dark, long-necked shape of the Shag, while another bobbed in the water, flapping its wings occasionally.
A fly past of Black-headed Gulls all I spotted in the way of other seabirds, but the flittering of a Chiffchaff from the Whitebeam distracted me from further looking!
From a nearby Sycamore the croaking call of a Raven, which emerged carrying something long and pale in its beak, the huge size especially obvious as it flew alongside a Magpie, making it look diminutive.