The
glorious end to summer is probably little compensation for what preceded it -
particularly in July and August.
Fortunately, most of the resident birds seem to have had a successful
breeding season before the deluge arrived, although it may eventually turn out
that survival rates for young birds have been poor.
Certainly
it has been a poor late summer for butterflies, with second generation
Vanessids seemingly thin on the ground.
How many Red Admirals have you had on your Buddleia? I suppose there is time yet.
Maybe
our mycological members will enjoy a 'fruitful' autumn, if a dry, warm
September following a wet summer produces the correct conditions for fungal
activity. Only time will tell.
Winter
visitors such as Fieldfare, Redwing and Brambling should stay around this year
judging by the fruit and nut crop in the countryside - fingers crossed! As you will see from the garden bird
survey analysis in this newsletter, it was more or less a blank year for these
species last winter.
It's
also the start of a new season of evening meetings for the Society, and is
traditionally, therefore a time to appeal - for records, for articles for the
newsletters and for new committee members.
The latter is most important as there are now several vacancies, and the
committee is as a result, becoming increasingly over-stretched. If you are not able to join the
committee, perhaps you would, nevertheless, be able to offer some kind of
assistance at indoor meetings.
Please let us know - don't be shy!