garden whinchat

After the short wet spell, warm dry weather has returned for a few days which has encouraged the buzzards to indulge in some soaring. Swallows are still about in some numbers and in the garden yesterday was a migrating whinchat and a singing chiffchaff. A few white wagtails have been in the fields recently taking advantage of the ploughing which is beginning for the winter crops. Last night was a full moon and both tawny and little owls were calling.

The new kitten which we have inadvertently acquired after it was abandoned in a sunflower field at a very young age is fascinating to watch at play but I fear that she is growing into an agile and a skillful hunter as I have already had to rescue several dragonflies and stag beetles from her clutches. I think a large bell is in order before she turns her attention to the birds.