The first day of the month was one of very mixed weather and the river level hovering just over the two feet mark. It also marked the start of the duck shooting season on the estuary, but there were not many wildfowlers to be seen out on the water.
Overall the weather has been good for the time of year and not too cold until nearer the end of the month. Mid month saw the river level peak at around the five feet mark, but it was soon falling back again after that. There is an autumnal feel about the place now with the leaves changing colour and beginning to drop.
There have been good crops off the various apple trees this year, we have some picked again and stored away in the out building for use later on at the feed station when the colder winter weather is upon us.
The birds have been at the rowan berries for a while now, and I saw my first Redwings on the 18th. Most of the swallows and martins are away now and the pink footed geese were overhead in large numbers on the 22nd. This year's cygnets up at the fishery are getting up in size now.
There are more fungi continuing to appear in various locations, some quite stunning.
The sloes have had a good season too, I did get my annual pick again for doing some sloe gin as tradition dictates!
The grass is finally slowing up now after what has been a long season, some of our kit has needed a bit of attention to keep going, with the strimmer needing a replacement cord head, and some of the mower blades getting a good sharpen up.
The big hedge up at the Activity Centre has had its final cut for the year, we are always glad to see that one finished.
In the wood we have some crocus out just now, it’s strange seeing them at this time of year, the seasons do seem to be more out of kilter these days!
As we started getting the odd cold foggy mornings, the birds were taking advantage of all the rebeccia seed heads along the high water mark.
The month ended with a calm, dull mild day and a dropping river level, getting below the one foot six mark.
Dago
