We hadn’t expected to see much today; the flowers are coming to the end of their season and we thought the strong wind would keep the birds sheltering in the bushes – but we were surprised especially with the numbers of flowers identified.  The lack of birds feeding on the mud in the river was a disappointment but there was a flock of 60 ringed plover and a lone golden plover.  We also saw an inquisitive seal swimming in the marina.  The lake at Creeksea still remains empty of birdlife whereas the margins of the fields there produce many interesting wild flowers and there were signs of mole activity.

Next Meeting – Thursday 26^th October 2.00 pm, meet in the marina car park

Birds: Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Goldfinch, Starling, Pied Wagtail, Blue Tit, Robin, Black-headed Gull, Little Egret, Curlew, Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Common Tern.

Flowers: Mugwort, Bristly Ox-tongue, Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Dandelion, Mallow, Common Fleabane, Small-flowered Cranesbill, Scented & Scentless Mayweed, Ragwort, White Campion, Prickly, Smooth & Perennial Sow-thistle, Field Poppy, Red, White & Strawberry Clover, Field Pansy, Field Forget-me-not, Broad-leaved & Ribwort Plantain, Yarrow, Stinging Nettle, Honeysuckle, Wild Carrot, Bramble, Field Bindweed, Marsh Thistle, Great Reedmace, Black Horehound, Common Orache, Great Willowherb, Daisy, Common Knapweed, Shepherd’s Purse, Purple Loosestrife Red Deadnettle, Ground Ivy, Groundsel, Black Nightshade, Cow Parsley, Wild Radish, Goat’s Rue, Japanese Knotweed

Butterflies: Small White, Red Admiral

Other: 7-spot Ladybird, Dragonfly (blue), Mole activity, Seal, Hips, Haws, Sloes, Buckthorn Berries, Blackberries.

Diane Caulkett