Autumn Almanac

 From the dew-soaked hedge creeps a crawly caterpillar
When the dawn begins to crack
It's all part of my autumn almanac
Breeze blows leaves of a musty-coloured yellow
So I sweep them in my sack
Yes, yes, yes, it's my autumn almanac

The Kinks 1967

 

Leaves of a musty-coloured yellow

Ah yes, I love autumn. Beautiful colours showing in the sunlight as the year winds onwards towards its end. We aren't at the best stage of the season yet though, so a few more views of dead and dying leaves to look forward to 🤣

 

 I haven't seen much to excite the eyes I'm afraid, just the usual suspects, but I enjoyed the waves crashing in yesterday morning along the sea front.

 We are still seeing Whooper Swans at the Mere - I saw at least 44 this morning with many more hidden by the reeds.

Juvenile Whooper Swan

Adult Whooper Swans

 While waiting for KP to open I was watching these Magpies pecking at a sheep's fleece. The sheep didn't mind, but I don't want to know what the birds were after!

In Wassand Wood I came across the most Roe Deer I've seen for a while, five of them. 

Roe Deer in the wood

Great Crested Grebes continue to be seen every day I'm glad to say. Earlier in the year I was speculating whether they would continue to hang around once the water level rises, so they still are lingering.

Great Crested Grebe

Wigeon numbers are up in the hundreds of birds now and are a real sight to see when they all take off together when disturbed by a predator. It's difficult to get a good count as they are spread over the whole of the Mere but we'll get a coordinated count one of these days.

A lone Wigeon

Pintail are regulars too with double figure counts on some days. I'm happy just to see a couple.

Pintail

Pintail