A poet or artist would have had a bonus day today conjuring up pictures and words to describe the scene – the light mist creating varying shades of grey on the still water, ripples caused by birds moving slowly along, reflections of the boats in the marina, the colours of autumn with golden reeds and bright red hips all displaying November colours as you imagine them to be, but which rarely you see together in one day.

It was a day of numbers too.  The Chaffinches had gathered together and we counted about a dozen in one go.  Lapwings on the shoreline numbered 40 and nearby a group of 30 Dunlin fed, flew off briefly, and returned once more.  In the marina two Swans and their 7 cygnets swam peacefully and then later we counted in the treetops at least 30 goldfinches.

We found Black Horehound in flower; this plant has a strong, unpleasant smell, which has given it one of its English names, Stinking Roger.  Apparently it has been used to treat the bites of mad dogs!

Birds: Blackbird, Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tits, Starling, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren, Song Thrush, Magpie, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Crow, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Lapwing, Curlew, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Mallard, Brent Geese, Black-headed & Herring Gulls.

Flowers: Bristly Ox-tongue, Groundsel, Ragwort, Yarrow, Wild Radish, Daisy, Prickly & Smooth Sowthistle, Black Horehound, Red Deadnettle, Chickweed, Shepherd’s Purse, Gorse.

Other: Mole Hills

Diane Caulkett