Autumnal Colours 1st Nov.

A morning walk on the 1st November gave 32 species of birds, with, yet again, quantity prevailing over quality.
Many fieldfares (100+) and redwings (300+) were observed in the sky over Ash Valley Golf Course, along with several blackbirds and a solitary song thrush.
Birds of prey came in the shape of 1 common buzzard, 1 female sparrow hawk, 1 male kestrel and, most pleasingly, fleeting sights of the male merlin that appears to have taken up winter residence in the parish. This particular bird was observed on two occasions in fields between the River Ash and New Road. Flying low over the ploughed field before rising into an oak tree and then 10 minutes later being chased by 2 jackdaws towards South Cottages.
3 bullfinches were heard and then witnessed near Chapel Lane whilst a single meadow pipit fed in the grass of the 4th fairway.
However, the highlight of the whole 2 hour wander was the colours in the leaves, as shown in the attached photos.