21st November 2024 - a good-sized flock of around 150 Golden Plover and about 100 Lapwing were seen swirling above the fields adjacent to the Old Railway Cutting by Andy M and John T recently. Not usually seen this close to the village, they settled in a newly-sown field and spread out to feed.
21st November 2024 - Andy M spotted a number of mammal species along the Old Railway Cutting and on the Settlements recently, including Rabbit, Grey Squirrel and a good-sized herd of Fallow Deer.
21st November 2024 - Andy M spotted a small flock of Redwing along Chalky Rd recently. This thrush species, along with the Fieldfare, visit the UK from Scandinavia during the winter.
20th November 2024 - Emma J spotted this rather lovely pink fungus recently, possibly the Wrinkled Pink Fungus (Rhodotus palmatus).
17th November 2024 - Polly M took a short walk around the village, noting the gorgeous autumn leaf colours and clear blue skies.
18th November 2024 - unusually, Andy M had a visit from both Coal Tit and Long-tailed Tit, in amongst a mixed-species tit flock consisting mostly of Blue Tit and Great Tit.
The Coal Tit, the smallest tit species in the UK, has a characteristic white stripe on the back of a head and pale rusty flanks, and is often be associated with conifers where it feeds on seeds from cones. Long-tailed Tit often fly around in small groups, and have a characteristic long tail and pale pink colouration.
8th November 2024 - Andy M spotted a pair of Blackcap in his garden recently, feeding on the small red Euonymus berries. The male of this warbler species has a black 'cap', and the female has a rusty red 'cap'. At this time of year, these individuals are likely to be winter visitors from mainland Europe.
