Well, what with the weather, The Lodge is starting to take on something of an autumnal feel. The breeding season is over for nearly all birds, and robins are starting to sing again - reminiscent of damp autumn mornings for me...
On Tuesday, a grand total of 37 mistle thrushes was counted in a field near the gatehouse. These smart, noisy thrushes become social after the breeding season and gather together in favoured feeding areas. A crossbill was seen flying over the car park and spotted flycatchers are calling from the trees.
Our prospecting swifts seem to have vanished for this year, but there have been occasional sightings of hobbies this week. They'll be around until the end of September, feeding on large insects like dragonflies.
There have been excellent numbers of butterflies around lately, including more than 25 painted ladies on the buddleias around the house and gardens. They're the offspring of insects which emerged in north Africa's Atlas mountains. Amazing stuff. You might also see peacocks, red admirals, commas and large whites.