Once more the sun was shining, so for a change I went down to the woods where many of the deciduous leaves have now fallen but those remaining are a gorgeous mix of bronze, orange, yellow and brown – what an amazing time of year.
The leaves which have turned include Beech, Sycamore, Elm, Hazel, Horse Chestnut and English Oak, while the evergreen Holm Oak remains a dull green!
Lots of bird activity in amongst the twigs of the trees with a flock of Goldcrests flitting about, their gold crests catching the light as they moved, their tiny size and quick movement making them really difficult to follow.
However, in the group I did eventually track a Firecrest, the white on the face the first indication of this second species.
A group of Great Tits perched in the branches of the Privet, as they moved a male Blackcap replaced them, this slender grey bird showing its black cap off.
Bounding along the top of the dry-stone wall were two Grey Squirrels, this wall has recently been cleared of Ivy as part of the improvements to the heritage of the area. This clearance is being done with great care so as not to damage the wall, if you are interested in helping with the ‘Pleasure Grounds Project’ please drop in on the work party who are around the Globe this morning or pop in or give us a call.
On the ground a patch of fungus caught my attention, the thick fleshy lobes of Dead Man’s Fingers showing in the leaf litter.
A sudden squawk and three Jays were spied, their movement silent, especially when compared to the Wood Pigeons which were also in the trees.
From the meadow the call of a Green Woodpecker made me turn my head, the green and yellow bird was landing on one of the Yellow Meadow Ant hills.
Landing in a Hawthorn bush was a Redwing, the flash of red from under the wing spotted as it landed.