Of course it’s the time of year when we start seeing winter visitors
coming to these shores, the summer visitors have mostly left for warmer climes
and those who stay start seeking warm and safe places to sleep.
The house sparrows are still roosting above the front door and kitchen
window, although the leaves of the climbing plant are now starting to leave the
site a little bit exposed, so I expect they’ll be finding somewhere new soon.
It’s this time of year that we have more chance of seeing the badgers
and foxes out on the lane, although only the local rabbits and squirrels have
been spotted so far.
The garden visitors are mainly confined to the house sparrow families.
The blackbirds and robins have not been around for a few weeks, while the blue
tits, great tits and dunnocks are seen a few times a week.
This time of year can be quite quiet in the garden, so it’ll be a few
weeks before it’ll be tidied up and ready for winter.
Some areas will be carefully managed to support wildlife over the
coldest season, but others will be prepared for spring when early insects will
need a supply of early flowers and nectar to sustain them.
Talking of insects the crane flies have stopped invading the house and
left it to the wasps, who are looking for a warm and cosy home for the winter.
In recent years ladybirds and butterflies have used the house as a
winter refuge, it remains to be seen if that will happen again this year.
