20.
established its hold on the perch.
Perhaps the most exciting birds to appear in my
garden were the Wheatears that came in small bands
over a period of about 12 days in early September.
These birds would perch on the piles of grass mowings
in the trial field behind, and make short darting
flights, vertically, then parachute down pipit fashion.
Their white rumps were very prominent when they
performed this display. Why they were displaying
like this, in autumn, on migration, I do not know.
Perhaps someone could enlighten me?
The flora is quite rich, cowslips adorning the
railway embankment. Field pansies, two speedwells,
scarlet pimpernel, poppies, and devils bit scabious,
adding colour to field edge and hedgerow.
Common lizards often ventured into the lane from
the railway embankment and the mammalian fauna is
abundant and varied. It includes weasels, common
shrews, field mice, field voles, rabbits, hares and
my favourites - the foxes. One evening I was lucky
enough to spend 30 or so minutes watching the antics
of two half-grown foxcubs in a field just behind the
farm. When they finally gambolled off, tawny and
little owls were finding voice and the summer evening
air had taken on a distinct chill - I shivered and
returned to the warmth of the cottage.
Ian Misslebrook
---oOo---
Not a member of the Essex Naturalists' Trust!
Members have access to over 30 nature reserves
all over the county. An SAE to Fingringhoe Wick
Nature Reserve, Fingringhoe, Colchester will bring
all the details.
---oOo---