Wild and wet

Despite unbelievably high temperatures over the last few days we are creeping into the fresh balmy days of autumn.  Proper clothes at last like cuddling up in a thin fleece to keep the gale out.  The daylight fades away much earlier in the evenings and it is time to close curtains and put the lights on. Whilst the Robin  sings in the gloom the Blackbird sings in the rain the Jackdaws start noisily  clearing the gutters again.

This photo of the Harvest Moon was taken recently on one of these balmy nights.

Harvest Moon

Nearly all the summer migrant birds have left for sunnier climes but each year a few juveniles take a unilateral decision to stay behind.  Maybe this choice is made for them if they are not strong enough, but how do they know?  Two young Goldfinches decided to stay behind when  their parents and siblings all left together on the same day.  They come  several times everyday always together to feed on the Nyger seed in the garden and hopefully will continue to do so throughout the winter.

In the meantime winter migrants are already on their way.  Small groups of geese can be heard and then seen overhead, many arriving in the night.  RSPB Burton Mere has huge numbers collecting on their lakes at the moment.  Check out http://www.deeestuary.co.uk/lsight.htm  for lasted sightings.

Pink Footed Geese

Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner  www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/tree-diseases   is very evident in Wirral and although not fatal  is responsible for early leaf drop and unsightly rusting leaves.  Fortunatly not all trees have succumbed and pockets have still resisted.

Maybe like last year we will have a long slow Autumn with drawn out tree colour over many weeks.

Cow Parsley seed head

Virginia Creeper