On a nice sunny warm day on the Autumn Equinox, perhaps the first bird of autumn has arrived, as we had a good report of a redwing on the apple tree in the gatehouse garden. This would be a very early record for this returning migrant thrush. A large flock of mistle thrushes have been about, a pair of ravens, noisy day time tawny owls around the HQ gardens and at least two hobbies still hunting over the new heath. On the lavender, rosemary beetles with their colourful psychedelic stripes have been keeping us occupied, as we try to get an in-focus picture of these miniature creatures amongst the flowers!Gill Butt managed to get this one - which was the pick of the bunch.
The first fungi are just appearing, with a common puffball and common birds-nest showing near the Visitor Centre, but it may be a slow start to the season with the prolongued dry period over the summer.