Autumn has truly taken hold in all its temperamental glory, from cool sunny mornings to raging storms. Hedgerows are laden with berries – the deep red of hawthorns and rosehips, the darker spots of blackberries and sloe. The local barn owls have been active, a reliable sight on any evening walk around the fields; they quarter low around the field edges, or fly high above with prey clutched in their talons. House martins are still bringing food in and out of nest boxes, but will soon be preparing to migrate to the continent. Butterflies continue to bask in the patches of warm sun that are still to be found – a red admiral warms up her wings on a leaf in the morning light. Starlings are beginning to form large groups that sit on rooftops, chattering, then take off en-masse as a noisy, black cloud.
A common autumn sight is young sparrowhawks, which are venturing out to find new territory. Twice in one week, one pays a visit to our garden. It appears to enjoy perching on the fence amongst the sprawling branches of next door’s bay tree, which keeps it under cover as its yellow eye gazes around looking for prey. It appears relaxed, remaining in the same spot for a good quarter of an hour each time. When a group of starlings fly overhead, that’s when it appears to grow excited and starts to fidget, eventually taking flight across the garden and disappearing out of sight between the houses in pursuit.
Moments of Nature 
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