It was one of the best days this autumn with bright sun that brought out more members than usual, but the wind was keen and took the edge of the warmth.  The Swallows had gone and being high tide there were no waders, and sightings on land were low, but we did have our first sighting this year of a Kestrel in this area. We still manage to identify most of the flowers we see but once again were stumped by one yellow flower. The berries (Blackberries, Hips, Haws, Sloes, Elderberries and Rowan) were abundant.  The high tide was higher than usual, water covering much of the saltings at Creeksea even before the top of the tide.

In the former caravan park we came across a small patch of Purple Yarrow, which although not uncommon amongst this usually white flower, was a surprise to us. We could hear plenty of groups of birds twittering in the trees but with plenty of leaf cover remaining, they were hard to locate.  Armed with a bug box we were able to capture and examine an unusual looking ladybird, only to see when magnified that it had deformities, like warts, making it look quite grotesque.

Birds:  Goldfinch (7), Pied Wagtail 3(2), Starling 32(25), Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon 20(7), Magpie, Kestrel, Egret, Black-headed Gull (8) – numbers in brackets are those sighted at one time. Heard – Sparrow, Moorhen, Robin, Green Woodpecker, Wren.

Flowers: Bristly Ox-Tongue, White & Red Clover, Wild Carrot, Ragwort, Mallow, Yarrow, Smooth Hawksbeard, Common Fleabane, Agrimony, Red Bartsia, Dandelion, Field Poppy, Wild Pansy, Knotgrass, Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Marsh Thistle, Ribwort & Greater Plantain, Woody Nightshade, Broad-leaved Willowherb, Bramble, Stinging Nettle, Wild Radish, Bladder Campion, Common Field Speedwell, Groundsel, Shepherd’s Purse, Smooth Sow thistle, Buttercup, Black Horehound, White Deadnettle, Gorse, Bindweed, Bulrush. (Others we are unsure of are the Lesser Hawkbit and Canadian Fleabane)

Other: 7-Spot Ladybird, Crane Fly, Honey Bee

Next Meetings – Tuesday 20^th October 11.00 and Friday 20^th November 14.00 meet in the Marina Car Park.