2nd November - How Dare The Premier Ignore My Invitations

October turned out to be a very dry month with more than average sunshine.  The buddleia continued to flower, and as a result there were still bees and Red Admiral nectaring on the flower heads late into October.  A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen last on the 21st October, but the Red Admiral hung on until the 27th, which was in fact a very cold day with a very biting north easterly wind, but with plenty of sunshine.

Another "Red", the Red Kite has also been about, flying low over the gardens in search of any sign of food.  This one came over the garden one afternoon towards the end of the month.

Such a beautiful bird.

With the clocks going back the evenings have seen some lovely sunsets, the clouds going a stunning purple and red.  This week has also seen the first real frosts of the autumn, with ice on the car windscreens and frozen water in the bird baths.

Our Blackbird is still around, but there is a female Blackbird that seems to have the upper hand, she is clearly the dominant bird, and will chase off our blackbird should they both appear at the same time.  The female knows the call and will appear almost immediately with the male coming after and waiting his turn.  We estimate that he must be going into his fifth year, which for a wild Blackbird is quite old, although the oldest recorded is 14 years old.

With the cold morning weather this week there has been considerable activity in the garden.  On Wednesday there was my highest ever count of 36 Goldfinches around the trees and on the feeders.

While the Rowan berries on the tree outside my office has attracted the Starlings, keeping them away from the meal worms.

I think I prefer the Starlings winter plumage to that of their summer breeding plumage.

The rowan berries were also attracting the Robin, although it was welcome at the meal worm tray.

The Blue Tits though were exploring the buddleia, the density of flower heads probably holding small insects and spiders.

They always look quizzical.

The acer trees still have plenty of their leaves attached, but over the next week I expect them to fall quite quickly as the short days and lower temperatures kick in.