My Leverton

Leverton Nature Watch with Maureen Humberstone Dec 2009 and Jan 2010

September saw Swallows collecting together along the electric wires in readiness for their long migration back to Africa. Trees began to change into their autumn colours and the first of the Greylag Geese began to arrive, migrating from Eastern Europe and Iraq. The pair of Kingfisher returned to fish in the Dovecote Drain and the Leverton Pump outlet, especially at very high tide times. Wheatear and Whinchat could be seen for a few weeks flitting about on the Calabrese tops near to the old sea bank in the Dovecote road area. Out across the marsh Wigeon began to arrive after breeding on inland waters. Whimbrel could sometimes be heard and seen, a smaller version of the Curlew and less seen in this area.

During the high tide on the 20^th September, out across the sea, I spotted a Red Breasted Merganser flying low and quite close too. A bird that spends most of its life at sea. Inland, the first of the Hen Harrier were seen often hunting the tree tops along the Roman Bank spooking the Wood Pigeons as it went. Also, a Buzzard appeared, often hunting the same territory, and could sometimes be seen early morning fly from its roost from along the Roman Bank.

Several wild flowers could still be seen along the roadsides, one of which was the yellow flowering Fleabane, a plant loved by butterflies, especially the Small Copper. At one time the plants were burned to deter fleas, hence the name. Sunflowers began to bloom, looking majestic with their big yellow nodding heads with Red Admiral butterflies,feeding on their nectar. The black fruits of Sloe’s appeared on the Blackthorn, good for making Sloe Gin, but with a bitter taste if eaten raw.

Early one September morning I came across a cow along the old sea bank that had just had twin calves, a sight that I had not seen since my childhood growing up on a farm – twin calves that is. Just a beautiful sight.

The first week of October saw the Primroses in my garden begin to flower, a plant normally associated with Spring. Also, Pink Footed Geese began to arrive from the tundra, strung out across the morning sky in their familiar V shape flight. Hearing them gaggling from some distance before coming into sight, a truly magical sound.

On the morning of the 15^th October a male Stonechat sat perched on a piece of reed along the Dovecote drain. A very beautiful, smart little bird with its black head, white collar and chestnut breast. The next day whilst walking along the roadway at the bottom of the Roman Bank I counted twenty plus Long Tailed Tits flitting about in the hedgerow, all seemingly taking off together as they moved along. Lovely to watch and listen to their tingling call. In the same area I suddenly heard a rustling in the trees and went to investigate and saw a Grey Squirrel sat in the fork of a Willow tree. Further long I came across two Stoats hunting amongst the cauliflowers, disappearing quickly on spotting me.

The hedgerows by now were full of Hawthorns, Rose Hips, Blackberries, Elderberries and Sloes, fruits all loved by a variety of birds and awaiting the arrival of the winter visiting Red Wing and Fieldfare. The trees had produced their fruits also, i.e. conkers, beech nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts and acorns, again loved by a variety of birds and animals,  e.g. foxes, grey squirrels and field mice.

By the end of October the trees began to lose their beautiful coloured leaves of red, yellow, bronze and gold, glinting in the late autumn sunshine. Tumbling to the ground as the wind blows reminding me of the red poppy leaves falling at the Remembrance Service at the Royal Albert Hall.

Early one morning as I came round my house corner I almost collided with a Barn Owl as it swooped between my house and the one across the road. I don’t know who was surprised the most, me, or the owl! So it pays to keep a sharp lookout as you never know what is about, and what encounters may happen at any time.

May I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you once again, Maureen, and may you, too, have a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Alan.