The day after my last post was the first morning of condensation on the windows and heavy dew outside - autumn not far off. There are the first hints of leaves starting to turn in the woods, and the plum tree is starting to turn too. Ah well, much to enjoy until winter comes! The weather is still good, having turned very warm in the last few days though it isn't going to last.
 |
| Painted Lady |
The butterfly count has perked up a bit. We've had quite a few peacocks and tortoiseshells, and a painted lady (but no red admirals that I've seen). The bird tally has been reasonably good too. One morning we had a couple of bullfinches at the last tatty remnants of the raspberries, and two warblers apparently picking up the flies. And another morning saw a male yellowhammer, resplendently golden, tentatively staking out the patio. The robin is still about and getting territorial, and there are still young blackbirds not fully in their adult plumage. Judging from the sounds coming from the roof area, there are still baby sparrows to come. They've had a bumper year. And there are still house martins and swallows about (the swifts left in early August).
The late summer plants are only just starting - phlox, echinacea and the like. Lilium henryi is just finishing. In the veg plot the beans are starting to crop quite satisfactorily, and there are a lot of apples but very small ones. The plums are coming to the end; this is easily the latest they have ever cropped!
