Hello Nature lovers
The fine weather has continued well into October this year, and the birds have enjoyed it. The swallows and martins stayed about until early October, I saw them at Upton on the first! There were a few butterflies about too – there was a 
peacock, a red admiral, a few whites and a dragon fly there.
On another walk, past Barrow Road, there were two jays in an oak tree, plus great tits and robins singing. We have lots of goldfinches in our garden. There are two families—they must 
have been very late broods, because the parent birds are feeding the youngsters. Both the green and the great spotted woodpeckers visit us regularly. Yesterday, I saw a squirrel frighten a woodpecker off the feeder.
The Listers have heard owls in their garden, but have not seen
Little Owl in Flight
them. They have heard both tawny and little owls. There was a tawny owl in one of the poplar trees outside the Parish Hall the other night. The sparrow hawks have been active in our area. I came across a pigeon carcass in Barrow Road—feathers everywhere! I›ve also seen evidence of other kills in the lanes. It’s a bit macabre, but they do have to eat to live!
Alan Jones, 841671
