Given how poor my 2025 village bird list is then October helped a little with four new species for the year.
Best ‘new’ bird was a Great White Egret, with one along the
river on the 11th. This was only the third village record, but it continues my
pitiable photographs of this species…
the second new sighting was an easy one. we were sitting
having tea when Sandra said “Look, swans!” and a fine flock of 18 Whoopers flew
low east over the garden. A few moments later I got a text from a villager
saying they had just heard some loud bird calls over their house, it would have
been frustrating if I had had that call and not seen them…
The third was a small skein of Canada Geese flying over the
river. They used to nest in the village but now, unless a group drops onto
floodwater, they are mainly seen as occasional flyovers.
The final addition was Siskin with two birds in with a flock
of Goldfinches feeding on Alders in the Magic Garden. These little finches are
surprisingly uncommon in the village but we usually get the odd wintering bird
or a spring migrant briefly stopping to feed in the garden.
Autumn/Winter arrivals were also noticeable with around 15
Goldcrests heard or seen between the pub and the end of Manor Lane on the 20th.
After the surprising September record the first Redwings were heard passing
over on the 14th and there was a small arrival of Fieldfares from
the 18th.
Other sightings in October included a long-staying Common
Sandpiper on the river and only the second Little Grebe of the year.
I also had the moth trap out a few times in the month,
numbers have dropped off dramatically but still a few interesting finds with
three new species for the village list, Narrow-winged Grey, Black Rustic and December Moth…
A couple of my favourite moths too with Green-brindled
Crescent…
And probably the brightest Merveille du Jour I have ever
seen…
I’ll finish with an obliging Roe Deer I spotted on the river
bank just below Morton bridge…
