Chat from the Chair Sept 25: Dot

As heat-wave number four makes it’s presence felt there are still changes happening that
tells us the seasons are moving on. Numbers of post breeding birds are starting to grow, plenty of Green Sandpipers are busily feeding up ready for when the time feels right for them to head to Southern Europe or Africa for the winter. The Cuckoos and Swifts have all left apart from the odd straggler. Ospreys are beginning to pass through as well. Chiffchaffs are now calling as opposed to singing their name; Willow Warblers are massing on the south coast ready for their sub -Saharan journey to their wintering grounds and Robins are beginning to try out their autumn song. As we wish them all safe a journey and return for next year, birds like Snipe are appearing ready to spend the winter with us.

Although farmers crop yields are down due to the dry weather the bushes and trees are
showing us what a warm dry spring/summer can produce. Soft fruits are plentiful with the
Blackberries ripening about two weeks earlier than normal and Hawthorn bushes are glowing redwith their heavy crop of berries, ready for Thrushes and Blackbirds to enjoy.

At this time each year I’m filled with eager anticipation as to what the cooler/cold months
will bring to our shores, familiar over-wintering species returning. Will we have as many or will they short stop in Europe as seems to be the growing
trend? We will have to wait and see.

Bird of the Month:

With quite a few to choose from as bird of the month for September I’ve chosen the Common Redshank – Tringa tetanus – the sentinel during the breeding season often seen perched up on fence posts proclaiming noisily at any approaching
predators.