The month began mild and wet with lots of lovely mud in the woods. There’s surprising little damage in the woods following the dramatic storm on the morning of the 28 Oct  although  I see a couple of trees down near the path. More nerve-wracking was hearing the poplar in the communal garden go over with a thunderous crack that morning. It has let more early morning light into the garden though.

It was about this time last year that the redpolls suddenly appeared in the garden so I’m keeping an eye on the nyger seed feeder. They are about the size of a coal tit appearing quite brown from a distance apart from a small but vivid red patch on the males heads.

We’re planning to listen out after dark for migrating redwings flying over head. I’m told they give a tsssseeep call.

We have a fantastic crop of crab apples in the garden which positively sing in the autumn sun.  Gearing up to make some crab apple jelly which was a success last year.