The robins at both ends of our garden have become very tame indeed, doubtless seeing me as a source of constant food. I have to be extremely careful when releasing moths 
from the traps, as they haunt my footsteps. One false move on my part and they pounce on some poor unsuspecting moth.
In early November the nights were freezing but we had lovely sunny days and I enjoyed the high pitched squeaks of the Long-tailed Tits all around me – quite unmistakeable once you get your ear in. We do not feed the birds at all in the summer months, but recently I filled up our many bird feeders. It only took the 
Great and Blue Tits about half an hour to realise there was food around, whilst the Goldfinches, called jam-faced finches by our younger daughter, arrived within the hour. David Curran told us he has seen Coal Tits in his garden for the first time. They have yet to reappear here, but now the feeders are full again, doubtless it will not take them long. Unlike most birds they will take just one seed and then immediately disappear into deep cover to devour it.
Squirrels are incredible. They have not been near the house all summer, but within two
hours of filling the bird feeders they turned up in force. I suspect they see the birds on the feeders from their high vantage points in the trees. Grey Squirrels seem to arouse great passions in people, who either love or hate them! It is true that they soon empty nut feeders and have an annoying habit of chewing right through the metal feeders to allow the nuts to cascade onto the ground, but you can 
hardly blame them – they are merely making a living.
The Roe Deer continue to be seen in the garden both in daylight and after dark. For now they are confining themselves to the windfalls, but it will be different next spring. I am already working on a pungent smelling and tasting deterrent to spray on the roses, so fingers crossed this will work.
Andrew and Cherry reported the first arrivals of Fieldfares in early November, all busy feeding on the apples in their garden. It should not be too long before the Redwings show up. Strangely, we only see them on the northern and eastern sides of the village. There have also been reports of influxes of Waxwings into the UK, but few have been seen so far in the SW. It is worth keeping an eye on any rowan with berries, which is their favoured food. Finally, there are reports of the arrival of Avocets on their wintering grounds on the River Exe.
Paul Lister 01404 841696
