Early Autumn

As late summer rolls into autumn the trees are starting to change to the seasonal golds and browns. Acorns and horse chestnuts litter the ground amongst the steadily growing carpet of cast leaves where squirrels bound, burying stores for the winter. Hawthorns and hazel are heavy with fruit, a treat for woodmice and voles who’s piles of discarded kernels can be found beneath the bushes.
The hedgerows are full of parties of finches gleaning the last of the grain from field margins or scouring newly seeded acres.
Birdsong is limited but the melancholy robin can still be heard as he continues to lay claim to his year round territory. Starlings have formed large flocks which criss-cross the village and blackbirds are busy amongst the leaf litter.
Just outside the village a large party of golden plover have set up residence. Their piping calls can be heard as they take to the sky in their characteristic fluid chevrons, circling round before alighting once more. They are often joined by their lapwing cousins who share the fields with them.
I have seen a buzzard over the valley on several occasions lately, soaring effortlessly over the woodlands cloaking the valley sides.. Hopefully, as these beautiful birds continue to make a return to the area he will take up residence.
Take a drive out in the late evening and you will probably see a badger out foraging, taking the last opportunity to put on fat before the winter sets in and his favourite food source, earthworms, go deep underground. Watch out for barn owls and tawny owls too especially atop the hedgerows and little owls at all times of the day. These rugby ball shaped birds can often be seen silhouetted on the top of telegraph poles or open topped trees.
As autumn advances and nature retreats, shedding its cloak of leaves and herbage, more opportunities open up to see the wildlife around. So, coats and wellies on. Binoculars at the ready. Out you go.