23rd Sept - sunny spell, light SW, 19C

This morning I only saw one Swallow in the village, no doubt there will be a few more sightings, but clearly the village summer residents and their off-spring have moved on southward.  Early morning saw another southward movement of Meadow pipits.  In the Perkins spinney to the west a Nuthatch called and a Goldcrest was singing.

Late morning I took a walk around the local lake, it seemed fairly quite bird-wise but with patience some were found including Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Bullfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Reed Bunting.  Very few duck were on the lake itself, however there were several Little Grebe and the Mute Swam family - all still doing well.

Several Dragonfly were out and about, Southern hawker, Ruddy Darter and these Common Darter.

Fungi are becoming more numerous now, as last year Common Puffball have begun to fruit at this site.

Several Speckled Wood were flying too.

An afternoon visit to Stanford reservoir produced more Wigeon, 76 were counted, so more have arrived to the winter, counts all over the country are on the up.  Gadwall numbered eight and six Little Grebe were spotted.  A single Common Sandpiper was feeding on the dam, these are on passage and soon we may see the last until Spring.   Several Chiffchaff were calling, but no other warblers were seen.

A single Comma, Red Admiral and several Speckled Wood were flying, plus Dragonflies.