December, the last meet of 2021 - and a look back

Our Meet on 19th December 2021 took place on a very misty morning but there was a good turnout with plenty to do. Song Thrushes were now singing after a long silence over the autumn. Robins, wrens, and Dunnock were heard too. A Little Egret was seen early on over the river, brilliant white even in the mist.

Looking back it seems that the brief summer was a long time ago - a short season, here one day and gone the next, no endless days with gradual mellowing of fruits and ripening berries. The fruit trees all did well but at different times, as intended.

The fruits of late August. 

Note that there are plenty more in the background, on other trees, at different stages of ripening. The weather then became cooler and cloudy but in September became hot again.

The contrasts continued with sighings of hardy dragonflies such as Common Darters and butterflies such as Red Admirals continuing  activity late into the year. Perhaps this will be the future pattern, with larger swings from hot to cold and cold to hot throughout the year....

November - Autumn leaves at last!

A brilliant turnout on a brilliant day - our meet on Sunday 28th November 2021 took place on a fine sunny day but cold, with patches of ice in places. The sun had brought out the birds which lost no time in foraging rapidly through the trees, where even the oaks were losing leaves now.

Most leaves on this tough old oak were turning yellow  and some 

very small leaf buds were appearing but there was no sign of any acorns.

Fallen leaves did not pose a problem for the group. Left where they fall, 

leaves provide habitat for insects and protect the ground underneath

from frost and ice. Most birds and small mammals instinctively 

throw leaves aside, scrabble and dig underneath in order to uncover

insects and spiders, a rich source of food.

The group, including very welcome visitors, went for the worst areas for litter and discarded rubbish

and made short work of the task whilst two of the group continued with the ongoing survey of possible candidates for the ancient and veteran tree inventory in the district. Plans are being made for the planting of more hedgerow trees in the late winter to fill existing gaps.