Wildlife Diary 9th to 31st October..
I will have to try, for now, to put into one or two brief paragraphs what I’ve seen these past few weeks.
First and foremost, the autumn colours, stunning, breathtaking, what a beautiful season. Weather wise, well just now it is cold, with frosty star filled nights, a dusting of snow on the hills, and sunny crisp blue days. We’ve also had our first real autumn gales, yes the wind was very strong, but we’ve had much stronger in the past, and will again, this winter? Time will tell. I quite like these impressive winds.
And wildlife…a report of two otters, thought to be youngsters, interacting with a seal around a small tidal islet, and I’ve seen an individual on several occasions along the shore of the estuary. I’ve not been close enough to it yet having watched it from the opposite lochshore, to see if it is a dog or a bitch, young or mature. Also on the estuary, wintering wigeon numbers are increasing, there are more curlew and oystercatcher, lovely little grebes, elegant greenshank, a storm driven guillemot in from the open sea, and a sea eagle, again chased by gulls, do they ever get any peace. On another day, another close sea eagle, perched on shoreline rocks close to the coast road (and I couldn’t stop for long enough to watch it)
I’ve not seen or heard any south bound geese, but have seen two small groups of whooper swans, every thing about them is speaks of the wild north. Have also seen a couple of very fine female hen harriers, quartering the meadows close to the village, lit by late afternoon early winter light, as impressive in flight as any bird of prey in that very different harrier way, that being slow and graceful, with however an amazing turn of speed. Lots more redwing, and very recently the first fieldfare, with several larger flocks just today, flying against a very beautiful, cold wintry sunset over the sea. I love seeing these winter thrushes, especially the fieldfares, their plumes of white and grey, ochre and rust are so fitting for the time of year, and it really is as though they bring with them the winter. What else…I’ve seen groups of long tailed tits, the most charming of little birds moving about in merry bands, on they go, follow the leader, and they do, as though attached by a fine un-seen thread from which they cannot break, keeping them together wherever they go, and keeping in touch with thin ‘see see see’ calls. And on a wild wet, windy night, where are they? I’d love to know. Also, a fine roe buck among yellow leaved hazels, stood staring for those few moments when it wonders if it has been seen, has its stillness kept it hidden, I stared back, and it moved away, slowly, disappearing into its very beautiful hazel wood home. It’s nice to see sunshine and light in the woods again after they have been dark all summer
Beauty at every turn, nature provides my soul with all that it needs. And peace and quiet, profound peace and quiet.
