3rd November - A Brief Encounter

We spent the weekend away on the south coast at Sidlesham, and I came across a bird I would dearly love to find in Four Marks, details of which can be found here.

When we got back this afternoon I took a very brief walk to Brislands to catch the sun and leaves along the lane.  However when I stepped out into the garden, the Acers were putting on an amazing show with fiery red leaves.

Ivy is still flowering, and as a result is providing an attraction still for the bees.  This one though seemed to be taking advantage the flat leaf to absorb the last of the sun's warmth.

It has been awhile since I last saw a Red Admiral  on the patch, but the sun combined with the flowering  ivy produced one this afternoon.  It was in quite a good condition, and was very busy nectaring.  At this time of year they look for any opportunity to feed before finding somewhere dry and safe to spend the winter.

Looking down Brislands there was a slight change to the view, with less leaves than there has been, and a much more yellow colour.

The storms of the last week have not caused too much damage to the trees locally.  We found broken branches along Alton Lane, and Lye Way, and these were cleared quickly.  Interestingly the branches belonged mainly to Oak trees, probably as a result that these trees are still well covered with leaves and acorns, providing a barrier for the wind to attack.

As I made my way home I noticed a pair of Collared Doves at the top of a conifer.  They seem to be flying around in pairs at present.