October '10

Weather This Month

Max Temp = 17.7°C                Min Temp = -3.4°C

         Max Wind = 19 mph            Total Rain For Month =  151.2 mm

Diary

31st.  Come on now how many of you forgot to change your clocks???? I was looking forward to the change to winter time clock but yesterday as I got into work I attempted heavy and awkward items to lift and after spending half an hour on the floor I had to call for help and have two people lift me and take me home....within an hour of starting work I was at home totally immobile and in quite a bit of discomfort. I was hoping to have a nosy round the area today for waxwing as they continue to pour into the country but I am still pretty sore and heat treatment is now in use to relieve any swelling.

I forgot to mention that last week a lone female Bullfinch paid us a visit for a short time as she fed on the seeds of candelabra primula. The Starlings are also now visiting with more regularity and in greater numbers. The Jays are also still visiting to take advantage of the monkey nuts that go down a treat!

25th.  Again the weather shocks the garden with a temp of minus 3.4C being registered this morning at 08:07. It was very beautiful to see the ice and frost shards on the lawn and trees. The Dahlias finally succumbed to the cold spell and keeled over. Other plants large and small reacted in shock to the very cold night. The leaves from the neighbours Sycamore tree have left the tree looking a little less full as the continue to fall. Colour from the garden is still eveident if not from the lovely fruits from the pyracantha, snowberry and the burnt orangey red from the mountain ash.

I looked up into the skies to note any migration but I never saw a thing but it seems the Fieldfare have been seen but have come in under my radar. The other migrant which is very much an irruptive species is the wonderful Waxwing. they have been seen the last week or so around the country and they have been seen locally so I shall be checking every Starling in flight!

Mandy and I have been out on our winter walks in the evenings and tonight as the light faded we were lucky enough to get within about 50' or two Roe deer most likely a male and female. It was a nice surprise as they leisurely leaped the fence that surrounded them.

17th. The garden has experienced it's first zero temp of the Autumn which arrived this morning at 08:15. I was later up this morning due to my day's exertions at Spurn Point on the East coast. I was hoping to see a noticeable Redwing migration this morning but I did not note a single one....was I up to late though! Non the less I have seen 3 Mistle Thrush locally this morning and to my relief the exile of the Blackbirds from the garden has ended with three individuals being present. I went out to put some sultanas out and also restock the feeder with monkey nuts for the three visiting Jays. The weather this morning is gorgeous with little wind and a cloudless sky although at 09:25 it still only registers 1º outside.

12th. The day was yesterday when things happen in the skies that for some reason make me feel like something is going to happen....even though this feeling is more like an anticipation of something happening. The strange thing is that I know exactly what is happening! Strange I know but the site of Redwings, Fieldfares and other migrating birds is always a great time, and for me the Autumn migration is more special than the spring. The good weather of late is still with us and the winds also must have been right as I watched early morning for any signs of migration......I was not disappointed as plenty of Redwings were already overhead with parties numbering 50 or so flying high and south. I had one eye on the skies as I drove to work and the whole journey was littered with Redwing....brill.....but today nothing has been seen!

I look toward my visit to Spurn point shortly and there I can really indulge in my love of Thrushes.