November 2001 

Fieldfare arrived at the end of October but there has been no sign of Redwing to date. When they eventually arrive, they will find much less in the way of hedgerow fruits and berries than they did this time last year.

One attractive and interesting fruit is that of the Spindle being lobed in the form and deep pink in colour. It eventually bursts open to reveal orange seed cases. It is common locally and there are several examples in Sedgwick Lane.

The sightings of a little owl from the kitchen window last week was a first although both they and the Tawny owl are often heard calling. Another pleasant experience was seeing a Lapwing wheeling and diving over one of the freshly sown fields. This used to be a common sight, but numbers are reported to have fallen sharply in the past few years.
 
Despite the recent frosty nights, daytime sunshine brought out a lone Red Admiral on the garden, often the last of the butterflies to put in a an appearance before winter.

The harvesting of maize has deprived quite a large number of Roe deer of free hospitality and they will now have to look elsewhere. 
The weather sayings for the month mainly relate to the same prediction best summed up as “November cold, Christmas warm”. Lets hope so.

HIRUNDINE 12^th November 2001

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