November

A raw November and preparation for winter on the moor. Although it is a quiet time for watching birds, especially on the High Moor, the light is magical in late afternoon and there are Winter Thrushes, Fieldfares and Redwings, arriving, along with the Starlings returning after a summer spent in the far north of Europe. It is also that much easier to see such birds as there are, as the trees lose their leaves. Plus the feeders in the garden are visited by a variety of birds, as well as the Rooks who dominate them most of the year.

Wednesday 14 November Early morning sun

Moorgate near Leapra Cross (Lettaford) (08.00): Winter Thrushes in the hedgerows

Thursday 15 November Cloudy and overcast

Bodmin (08.00): five or six small groups of Starlings (c.25 each) flying east

Friday 16 November Failing light

Whiddon Down (17.30): Starlings massing at Whiddon Down before roosting

Sunday 18 November Overcast and chilly

Yarner Wood (14.30 - 16.30): Longtailed Tits; at the hide Great, Blue and Coal Tits, Nuthatches, Greenfinch (f.), Chaffinch, Greater Spotted Woodpecker; in the woods, Redwings, Bullfinch, Goldcrests, Trecreeper, small flock of Tits, Raven

Sunday 25 November Bright and windy

Soussons Wood (11.00 - 13.30): Jays (several pairs), Goldfinches, Goldcrests, Coal Tits, a pair of Ravens, Green Woodpecker, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers (2), Buzzard, Robins everywhere defending territory, Chaffinches, Blackbirds. Just outside the wood, a medium sized raptor: not a Buzzard, but possible a Hen Harrier (f).
Off Challacombe Down (13.35): Fieldfares, Kestrel.