There are still a good number of house martins around the village as well as a few swallows. On Sunday, September 13, I heard a chiffchaff singing but otherwise summer is on the way out as far as bird visitors are concerned.

Some interesting numbers from the last few weeks. I saw 26 swallows together on a telephone wire in the village. Nothing like the numbers in years gone by. In contrast to that I have seen up to ten buzzards together over the village which was unheard of in the recent past. Finally 17 long-tailed tits seen in a tit flock. I wonder how many will still be alive next spring.

I believe there has also been a fairly tame young buzzard (lots of white on it) hanging around on the green area next to Nene Side Close.

RP