November, Winds and Glorious Sunshine

Is November always such a changeable month? We did say we needed the rain and rain we got, although still not as much as a lot of areas. Then we had sunshine, some more rain and then the winds came. Gusty, blowy, scattering the rain showers and leaving us with glorious sunshine and clear blue skies.
We still have quite a bit of Autumn colour left, the wind didn't manage to take all the leaves off the trees - the colours change every day and it is amazing how much fresh new green there is amongst the reds, gold's of the dying vegetation.
Everyone is forecasting a hard winter. Certainly the trees have been laden with berries, I have not seen so many on the hollies for a long time. I use the words 'have been' - again, they are not usually stripped of their fruits so early but the blackbirds seem to be eating for England!
Our Red Squirrel is now two. They seem to be foraging a lot, even coming onto the bird table, trying out the nuts, seeds and assorted bread. They are even pulling up the fat ball to have a sniff, not sure if they are actually eating it though. We also have a Jay visiting us on occasion, this is first time we have seen this bird here and were watching it bury acorns of it's own.
Other birds seen? Well, there has been reports of Red Kite in the Harthope Valley behind us, although I haven't seen them myself. The Tawny Owls are very much in evidence and very vocal in our own little patch of woodland here at Firwood. The Barn Owl is also out on the hunt and causes some consternation at night, gliding spookily across the roads! There is also a very confirmed sighting of a Hoopoe on the Northumberland coast, along Beadnell Bay I think. Caused much excitement as this bird has never been seen this far North before.
The seals are also causing much excitement off the Farne Isles, people going out on the boat trips have come back full of talk about the baby seals and there are lots more still being born. There are also flocks of birds coming in to overwinter on the Northumberland coast, a marvelous site at dusk. Who says nothing much happens at this time of year?
There are some picture of the squirrel on the bird table. I just wish I could get a little closer. I have also included a picture of Glen in his box - it has kept him occupied for quite some time before it finally disintigrated!



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