The weather yesterday evening prevented me getting out, the rain and wind pushing away last weeks Indian Summer. As a result this morning there is suddenly a distinctive feel and look of winter in the garden. The feeders have been inundated with Goldfinches, at one point I counted 34 birds in and around the garden squabbling over the feeders.
In amongst them was this single Greenfinch. You can see that the majority of the birds are this years fledglings, the red still developing on the forehead. It would though appear that they have learnt fast that they have to fight for a place on the feeders, and in many cases they have pushed what would appear to be adult birds off.
With all this squabbling and fighting going on there is plenty of seed being dropped onto the ground and here there is a more serene and quieter environment as the more worldly wiser Goldfinches calmly pick it up, almost all adult birds.
The remaining Goldfinches sit quietly in the trees contemplating the best time to make their move.
As well as the Goldfinches and Greenfinch there have been several Blue and Coal Tits about, and a single Great Tit creeping around the feeding areas. In the tree outside my office there was a Chiffchaff for awhile feeding by hovering under the branches, making its way through all the remaining leaves. Around the houses the Starlings have been flying around, the flock now well over 50 in number, but with a scattering of other birds about, it could be that this year the count exceed 100.
There was though one other visitor I was very pleased to see, they haven't been about for at least three years in the garden, and apart from a flyover last month they have been absent from around the patch too, a male Siskin feeding with the Goldfinches.
I am always surprised at how small they appear in comparison with the other finches, but it seemed quite at ease amongst the squabbling, paying very little attention as it stuck its head in to get the seeds.
There have been quite a few reports of Siskin moving lately, hopefully an indication that we will get some sizeable winter flocks. These flocks can also bring in Redpoll and Crossbills, and with the work in Old Dow finished now, and the Larches being a lot easier to view it could be a good winter for watching these delightful birds, we shall have to see
The weather shows signs of settling down once again as we head for the weekend, always a good omen.
More cloud about today, and it was a little misty too. The area around the estate and Plain Farm seemed to me to be the best place to walk today, the hedges and open area being attractive I hoped for migrants passing through.
As I got out of the car at the bottom of the Mountains Plantation there were Chiffchaffs calling from the bushes. They were difficult to see though as they either kept low in the bush, or made dashes between them very quickly. As well as the Chiffchaffs there were Goldcrests calling as well.
There was a mist about, and the dew was highlighting the spider webs on the remains of the cow parsley.
Leaving the warblers to call from within the bushes I walked up the hill, looking out across the fields towards Plain Farm the mist was hanging just above distant trees.
I stopped at the cattle grid and listened to the bird calls, there were Goldcrests, and in amongst them a faint call from a Firecrest. I waited to see if either would show but all I could see was distant movement. I decided to head on to the pond, and as I walked along the path a Great Spotted Woodpecker called. I could just make it out on a very distant conifer, once again at the the top of the tree.
At the pond there was no movement for once, but in the arboretum alongside the pond a Chiffchaff called. I decided to walk along the main path towards the estate park, as I did so I heard a familiar chipping call above me, and watched four Crossbills fly overhead in a westerly direction.
Walking on another Great Spotted Woodpecker called, and true to form I found it at the top of a conifer, but this time the weight of the bird was bending the branch.
Jackdaws were swirling over the house, calling as they did so, and I could hear the call of a distant Raven. At the avenue the beech trees are just beginning to change, buit the green leaves are dominant.
Under one of the trees there was quite a bit of bird droppings, and on a closer look I also found several pellets, some of which were slightly falling apart showing several small bones of a small rodent.
I walked down past the Keepers Cottages where there was a Marsh Tit, and several Long-tailed Tits. Then I walked down the hill and crossed to walk up to the barns at Plain Farm. In the stand of Poplars in front o the barns there were several warblers calling and flitting about in the branches. At first I thought there might be a Willow Warbler amongst the Chiffchaffs, one looked very bright as it preened in the branches.
But then when it dropped on to the wires close to the tree I could see the dark legs and then as it turned the short wings that the Chiffchaff has.
At the dryers there was a large flock of House Sparrows, and overhead a Pied Wagtail called. As I walked up the hill a reddish bird dropped on to the path, at first I thought it as a Robin, but as it flew up to the Bramble I instantly saw it was a Stonechat, a male. As I watched it flew to the fence, but the remains of the Cow Parsley made focusing very difficult.
The bird then flew off, and I found what I thought to be it back on the fence wire, however this one was a female.
There were in fact a pair present, and briefly both appeared on the wire together
I tried to get a better view of the male, but it kept on flying ahead of me as I raised the camera. In the end it flew off past the workshops, the female though did behave and allowed me to get close before she flew off to join the male.
Great to have another sighting of Stonechat, and yet again a pair, I wonder if they were the same pair that was ion Charlwood, possible but probably unlikely.
I carried on up past the cottages where there unusually there were no calling birds. I stopped to scan the fields, and a flock of approximately 50 Meadow Pipits flew over along with 18 Skylarks. One Skylark could be heard singing away in the distance.
Looking along the edge of the field I found two Brown Hare, one ran off while this one sat by the edge of the field.
As I turned to head back to the road a Chiffchaff flew up on to the wire alongside a Yellowhammer.
There were several Woodpigeon sitting on the wire, but amongst them was a different shape, this belonged to a Kestrel, and as usual I did the "take a picture, walk on, take a picture" routine, and ended up with this.
Then as I got too close it flew off.
I walked down the footpath towards Charlwood, in the fields two Pheasants were squaring up to each other, one decided that discretion was the better part of valor, and turned away leaving one on its own.
In the hedgerow a pair of Bullfinches teased me by calling and the flying just ahead of me, quickly disappearing into the thicker vegetation.
Heading along Charlwood, a Mistle Thrush flew across me, and then up into the trees. It was a reminder that soon we will be seeing the winter thrushes arriving.
As I approached Lye Way the Sycamore trees were showing a lot of colour. It would seem this year that the trees are changing a lot earlier than the past few years, its possible we could have the best of the colour in October this year.
At the junction with Lye Way there is a small pond, and plenty of Ivy on the trees, a good spot for warblers, and as I walked up to the pond I could see the movement in the ivy, and then one warbler appeared. It was quite bright, but I was thinking more Chiffchaff.
As I watched it, the bird turned and finally showed more of its body, and most importantly its legs.The legs were pale, and the wings longer than those I had seen of the Chiffchaff earlier.
At last a confirmed Willow Warbler, and with tha it disappeared into the ivy, appearing briefly to catch flys in the ivy flowers.
I walked on towards the car. Once again there were calling Long-tailed Tits but I didn't stop to watch them, I headed down the hill back to the car. A calling Buzzard flew out of the tree by the car, and as it flew low across the field it continued to call, and then up into a tree, where it still called. From this I assume it was a juvenile bird.
I watched and waited to see if an adult appeared but there was no sign of any. So I set off back home, driving along Lye Way past the sheep and the farm but apart form a large flock of Jackdaws it was very quiet. On notable observation today was that there were no hirundines seen at all.
The weather is due to break on Monday, it will be interesting to see what this brings, I could do with a Lapwing!
The clear and sunny conditions continue, but if anything the breeze that was with us on Tuesday is even stronger today, and also quite fresh as it is blowing from a north easterly direction. Unfortunately the clear star lit nights have probably induced any of the migrants around to leave, and are definitely not conducive to anything new dropping in. With this in mind following and yesterdays walks around the patch I decided I would go back up to Swelling Hill Pond, and see if the dragonflies were about once again, and concentrate some quality time in securing some photographs of them.
As I pulled up I could see one Southern Hawker buzzing around close to the edge of the pond, as it did so it was attacked by a small red dragonfly that was definitely a darter. I watched the darter fly off and settle on the back of one of the park benches in the sunshine. This allowed me to get closer, and I was able to identify it as a Common Darter from the creamy yellow stripes on the thorax
The Common Darter is a small restless dragonfly that perches regularly on the bank side vegetation of pools (unlike other darters), but in this case a bench was preferable. These dragonflies can emerge as early as April, and as late as October and can be seen on the wing as late as November.
There were at least three individuals present, and unlike yesterday I did not see any females. Here you can clearly see the two bold stripes down the side of the thorax.
The wood by the side of the bank providing a warm surface in the sunshine from which to warm up.
From these resting places the darters would sit quite content until the larger Southern Hawker approached, as the came close the darter would fly up, and despite its significantly smaller size would chase off the much larger dragonfly, and then return to its place of rest.
There were at least three Southern Hawkers present, all flying close to the bank inspecting the vegetation and the holes in the bank
The Southern Hawker is is a large Hawker dragonfly, which is usually solitary which may account for the frequent attacks and attempts to chase the other away. I was watching males and their flight could be described as purposeful, and regular in as much as it continued to cover the same area at the same height from the ground. As well as looking for possible prey it searches the inlets and holes in the banks in search of a receptive female.
The strong breeze was blowing the leaves from the trees, and as the leaves fell into the pond the dragonfly would turn and investigate to see if it was a female.
The Periwinkle bank was in the full sun and there were several Speckled Wood butterflies about. These too seemed to attract the Hawkers and they would chase the butterflies around the trees. One, though, did settle for a while.
The Hawkers seemed to have their own territories but every so often there would be a raid by an individual, and they would speed off around the pond only for them to split up and one return to the side of the bank. It was almost impossible to say if this was the original dragonfly or the attacker. I have since learnt that apparently the males will time share territory of a favourable site with other males, each using the spot from 10 to 40 minutes, however the more males there are the shorter the stint.
The males clash when they encounter each other, and the outcome is determined by how long their duration has been at the site. If the male is attacked too early in its stay, the territory is defended vigorously, I saw a pair come together in a fight and you could hear the clash of their wings, the victor returned to the site, while the loser dipped into the water, then flew up into a tree to rest.
The dragonflies seemed to be quite inquisitive of me, coming really close, sometimes far too close for the camera.
I find it quite amazing to look at these incredibly well engineered insects, the wings moving in different directions to control the flight up down, left, right and forwards and backwards, but most fascinating are the way the legs are retracted alongside the thorax keeping them from producing any drag.
Something else I have learnt is that on the face of the Southern Hawker, the arrangement f spots are unique allowing them to be used to identify individuals. You can see the spots here on the front of thehead
If I had known while watching them it could have helped to see if they actually did change over territory duty.
It has been fascinating watching these incredible insects, and I am pleased with the images I have captured too. It was a very nice way to spend a good 45 minutes, in the sunshine. Just before I left though I noticed the shapes and light that was being produced by the dark water and the lily pads in the middle of the pond.
Turning the dull green lily pad leaves into a mass of silvery plates, gorgeous.
The weather is due to hold until the weekend, but with the chance of cloud later on, this would help with bringing in some birds, especially if the easterly wind continues, and maybe shifts around the south east, we shall have to see
The good weather continues, although early morning it is pretty cold. On Sunday night I thought I had the right time for the eclipse, but as I looked out into the garden
the moon was still bright, with no sign of any colouration. I waited for awhile but sleep got the better of me, so I went to bed. When I got up Monday I found out that I was about an hour too soon. Never mind I was able to get a lovely picture of a dimmed "Super Moon".
I had the chamce to pop out at lunchtime, and headed up to the pond. It was going to be a quick walk around Old Down, but first I checked the Periwinkle Bank where there was a single Speckled Wood sitting on a bracken frond.
As I headed into Old Down, a Comma flew up from the brambles, some of the berries are now rotting away, making them a big attraction for the butterflies.
A little further on another insect was interested in the bramble bushes, and was inspecting the leaves under the fruit in search of small insects. This was a Hornet, and it settled on one of the leaves.
Then turned to face me as it wiped its eyes.
The walk around the wood was uneventful, very little bird song, just distant Goldcrests calling and every so often the song of a Robin punctuated wth the call of a Wren. There were at least six Speckled Wood butterflies, and a Large White.
I came out of the wood, and instead of crossing the field walked around the outside, and made my way back to the Old Down Cottage entrance. From there it was back to the pond, where I was pleased to see several dragonflies cruising over the lily pads. There were at least two Southern Hawkers.
They were cruising close to the bank of the pond, and hovering over the water.
Giving the chance to get some very close views.
Every so often a small red dragonfly would fly close, probably a Common Darter, and the Hawker would chase it off.
Out over the lily pads there were at least three pairs of Common Darters that were coupled and ovipositing over the water.
Just before I left, a male Brimstone flew into the bank and sat in the sun.
I then made my way back home, and decided that late in the afternoon I would walk around the estate and farm.
The wind had been increasing all day, and by the late afternoon it was a brisk breeze from the north east, it was though still sunny, but with a lot of high cirrus cloud. I parked at the bottom of the Mountains Plantation and walked up the hill. I could hear Firecrests calling from the yew trees, but I didn't stop to try and see them. As I came out into the open there was a steady trickle of Swallows moving east.
I walked up to the pond, there has been an influx of Yellow-browed Warblers over the last few days, and they can be found associating with the commoner warblers. The pond is an excellent autumn spot for both Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, and as I walked up I could hear the calls of Chiffchaffs.
I could see them moving through the ivy that was now in full flower, and attracting the insects that the warblers were feeding on.
As well as the warblers there were also a few Blue Tits and Chaffinches.
There were plenty of berries on the Elderberry bushes, and these were also an attraction to the Chiffchaffs.
Showing well as they came out into the open.
Not actually taking the berries put picking off the insects below them.
I headed down to the quarry where there were at least another two Chiffchaffs. Blackbirds were also busy gorging on the sloe berries. I headed across the road, and then up the hill past the barns and up towards the workshops. A sand mound in the middle of the field turned into a Brown Hare lying close to the ground in the grass.
I could hear the calls of Chiffchaffs all around me, and on the roof of the barns were two Pied Wagtails. I stopped at the cottages to watch the ivy for awhile, but nothing appeared, although there were plenty of warblers calling.
I decided to walk close the hedge instead of the road, the area has been cut with high vegetation on either side. The Orb spiders had strung webs across the path, in the same way that mist nets are hung to catch birds for ringing. This Spider was on show as I walked past.
I checked the fields, and flushed another Brown Hare that ran away from me as I raised the camera.
I then walked to Charlwood, and then along the lane, the only bird of note was a Kestrel that flew off one of the telegraph poles. It was now very windy, and the only birds flying were Woodpigeons. As I reached the wooded area I could hear Long-tailed Tits. I stopped and listened and found Great and Blue Tits and a pair of Nuthatches as well as the Long-tailed Tits.
Back at the car I stood and watched the fields, the sun was now dropping, and you could sense it getting cold. A Buzzard flew across the fields, and then across the tree tops aginstr the glowing sky.
I took a hopeful drive back, but with nothing being found. The wind was clearly playing a part in the lack of birds today. Lets hope that over the next few days the wind eases and the movement occurring on the east coasts makes its way south east and through the southern counties. Indian summers are wonderful, but sometimes too nice for the wildlife.
