Autumn colours

                     Leaves are slowly changing colour and dropping now as night-time temperatures begin fall. It remains pretty warm for the time of year and the Crow Wood Hornets are still on the wing, seeking out sunny spots in which to sun bathe. They are great to watch buzzing around and compensate for the lack of birds to see; November is a pretty quiet month for bird activity. I would have usually set up my bird feeding station by now, but I am hesitating a little with this until it gets colder and the birds really need the food. I am also concerned about the risk of passing on avian flu as my large seed feeder attracts lots of birds and brings them into close contact with each other - ideal conditions for passing on the virus. I have just put up the fat ball holder for now as fewer birds can use it at the same time, and hopefully that means the risk of infection is lower. It did not take long before the first birds spotted it. The first in was a Robin, followed soon afterwards by a Great Tit and a Cole Tit. Over the years I have come to think that birds recognise my blue truck and associate it with the arrival of food.......this may of course be completely fanciful. It is amazing how quickly they spot the free meals

                This nasty virus is causing chaos amongst colonial nesting birds including Gannets and Great Skuas around the country, it is even affecting Swan populations now and many are being picked up dead. If it is already killing lots of small birds (passerines) it will not be spotted so readily as they will be dying quietly in woods and fields, unseen and unreported. There is no sign of its spread stopping as yet and there seem no defences against it.

              On a more positive note, the Autumn light has been stunning this year and its low angle in the afternoon is great for photography..........but, I am hoping daytime temperatures will drop pretty soon and that we will get some real winter weather, even though it will see the end of my Hornet buddies. 

A Buzzard against the blue November sky, harassed by a Raven

A Cole Tit arrives

A Robin, first at the fat ball feeder

A Hornet sunning itself on a Sweet Chestnut leaf

European Larches showing their Autumn colours

Late afternoon light through the bracken