13th September

This morning there were about 60 Swallows on the wires near Parsons Close, some of them are in the photo.

Recently Jackdaws have been very interested in helping the Sheep to keep clean, several were on the Sheep backs and heads this morning picking off tasty morsels.

A visit to the local lake produced five Siskins and two Water Rails were heard.  Bullfinch are nearly always present, as were two today.  A pair of Mute Swans have three cygnets, now well grown.  Also, at least three pairs of Little Grebes fledged young.   Several Speckled Wood were flying around the hedges.

Have you noticed just how many bushes and trees have leaves that have begun changing colour.

A visit to the local reservoir this afternoon was well worth it. A late Hobby was feeding on Dragonflies, many Chifchaffs and several Blackcaps were present, following the Long-tailed Tit flock.  Also, a Spotted Flycatcher was present, flying out catching food from the tall bushes.  A Common Sandpiper was feeding on the dam, then seven Siskin flew over low heading down the valley.  The number of Wigeon have now increased to about 40, there were two Red-crested Pochard present too.  All this just shows how the season is changing and that migration is in full swing.

At least five species of Dragonfly were making the most of a warm day, both Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell were present.  I then found a Hairy Shieldbug on my coat, these are widely distributed, but often overlooked.