Monday 30th October

Love the back-lighting and highlights (Bokeh) effect.

Rich autumn colours emphasised by the low morning light

Harsh stare of the Fieldfare, not happy with my presence.

Love this little fellow. He flew to greet us as we walked along the path. Have other photos which I will share but I liked this shot for its 'difference'.

The quality of light at this time of year makes up for the infrequency of good weather. Unusually warm today, but pretty quiet on the marsh. We sat and watched the Black Headed Gulls 'playing' on the water. Climbing, swooping and splashing. I'm unsure if their curious actions are playing but they seem to be enjoying it. Saw a Stonechat sitting on a fence post, he would catch passing flies before returning to the fence. Haven't seen him since spring! Will post a photo later in the week, hope to see him again if the weather holds.

Closer view of him with his dinner.


American Mink heading down stream towards the pipe bridge.


crimson wax cap (hygrocybe punicea).


snowy meadow cap (camarophyllus niveus )

Friday 27th October

Good days for weather and photography seem to be getting fewer, today was rather grey and dark, but life goes on as they say. Thanks to a friend that I have not yet met, I now have names for the mushrooms that I published earlier in the week, so I'll re publish as that is easier to do.
As will also see I had another encounter with the mink on the Fleet. Bold as brass, floated still in the water watching me and Holly. I was able to follow him along the stream and discovered that he was carrying a rat for his dinner. They can't be all bad then.

Thursday 26th October

One Shoveller and two Wigeon.


Another mushroom. Must get a reference book.


Another picture of the Short Eared Owl. He does'nt look to pleased to see me.


Started out as a nice, but windy morning. I didn't take my camera as I believed it to be too windy to hand hold. As it was, I had to hurry home when storm clouds threatened.
Saw a small flock of Fieldfares on the Rowen trees much to the annoyance of the resident Blackbirds. The Fieldfare is a winter visitor and is very similar to the Song Thrush in appearance, except for its very pale under wing and rump.

Wednesday 25th October

Noisy Blackbird.

Kestrel resting after a mobbing by crows.

Short Eared Owl on the hunt.

Set out, on what I thought was going to be a beautiful sunny morning. It never really got going.
The north side swan family were back together again. One day soon they will go their separate ways. Enjoy today's photos, I've published another shot of the owl.

Tuesday 24th October

Good place to hide!

Water skiing!

Purple Toadflax. Surprised its still flowering this late!

Definite chill in the air this morning. Hat and gloves on! Sun was trying to come through but never quitre made it.

Monday 23rd October

Shaggy Ink Cap toad stool.

Short Eared Owl, has a fierce look. One of the few species of owl that you will see during the day.

Young Herring Gulls washing in the fresh water of the marsh.


We had to leave our walk till 10:00am due to the rain, but we were not disappointed.


The flock of Teal and Wigeon were still with us along with a few pair of Shoveller Duck. No sign of the north side mute swan family, but the south side swans are looking good and are not far off from flying. Tripped over a Short Eared Owl on the bank side above the Fleet, a beautiful bird will be publishing a photo today and more during the week. Still plenty of Common Hawker Dragonfly around in the warm sunshine. Nice to see the 'Volunteers' repairing the footpaths, being supervised by the 'Trust' staff, it looked like hard work, supervising!

Sunday 22nd October

North side swan family. Perhaps their last family photo?

Today was a big day in the life of the north side swan family. Today was the first time that the young swans flew any great height or distance.


With the sunshine breaking through the storm clouds and a strong, gusty wind, blowing from the south, I watched as all four of the young swans circled the marsh. I saw the frantic, but powerful beats of their wings as they attempted lift-off. The strength of their wings as they gained height and circled majestically around the marsh and perhaps, the first signs of separation as they flew in different directions. Truly a big day for the young swans and their proud parents.


A special mention for one of the youngsters who has a deformity of the neck. I have observed this bird from its earliest days and have often expected it to become a casualty of nature, where only the strongest survive. Today it took that first flight and although looked a little awkward and perhaps, a little less confident than his brothers and sisters, he/she did not seem to be hampered by its disfigurement.