Patch: Early Autumn

The Robins continue to sing for their individual Winter territories.

Seed heads on the Wealdway.

This species has become very noticeable, with several individuals calling around the garden and in the woods at the foot of the Scarp. They are largely absent from the top of the Downs. I have seen a few energetic chase fights between birds, but nothing too prolonged.

A territorial Robin.

The cooling temperature seems to have stopped the Wrens from singing and the Herring Gulls have calmed down. This makes the thriving Jackdaw colony even more noticeable. In addition to the evening murmuration, they have an explosive morning take off, where calling birds stream down from the hill in a noisy wave. This is currently happening at about 6.30am.

Looking north along the Wealdway.

A Sunday afternoon walk up to the Wealdway also generated a hunting Sparrowhawk, a Meadow Pipit, Goldfinches, and a passage Wheatear (a patch first! Species 57).

Denuded Ash Trees on the scarp edge.

Most of the Ash on the top is bare of leaves and nearly all of the flowers are now seed heads. The ivy, however, is coming into full flower.

Seeding Honeysuckle.

The old track down from Foxholes Brow just clips the edge of the ancient woodland of Further Plantation, and the Beech Trees here still look marvellously green.

Beech Trees along the Foxholes Brow track.

The feral Canada Geese continue to perform their daily, and very noisy, mini migration between the Eastbourne Levels and farmland to the West. This can involve up to 100 birds.

Wealdway looking West.