9th October - The Violets Explode Inside Me

A weekend of two halves, wet and windy on Saturday followed by a calm, warm and sunny day on Sunday.  Saturday saw me braving the elements at Farlington Marshes, where the best bird of the day was a Red Kite over the house when I returned home.  Through the last week the Swallow has remained at the horse paddocks on Alton Lane, last being seen on the 5th, while the calls of Chiffchaffs have continued with even one in the garden on Sunday.  The Roe Deer continue to graze in the field alongside Gradwell Lane.  Despite some extensive listening over the last few days there has not been any sign of the autumn's first Redwing, I am sure though that it will not be long before their distinctive call is heard.

A feature of the garden over the last few days has been the large flock of Goldfinches that have been present.  As ever they will collect in the surrounding trees and then drop down to the feeders.  On Saturday afternoon the feeders were all occupied with sixteen birds using the available perches, while in the trees I counted 23 birds making a total of 39 present which is the largest count I have ever had.

Monday saw a return to the gloom and was mixed as well with a drizzly rain.  The Starlings have been building up in numbers, and the odd few can be seen flying around the houses and settling on the TV aerials at dusk.  This morning, I noticed for the first time that they have acquired their winter plumage, the entire plumage densely sprinkled with yellowish-white spots.

The attraction this morning were the last remaining berries on the Rowan.

Once again the weather is not helping in bringing in the birds, but there are signs that we could be in for an Indian Summer into next week.

On a late afternoon run, there were Redwings calling over Telegraph Lane....winter is coming!