Changes

 Grey skies, fittingly perhaps, likely matched the sombre mood of many in the country this morning on what is likely to have been an emotional day for some. My travels this morning took me no further than the area near the STW from where the ringing of church bells from both Corby and Stanion could be heard. Though my sightings were far from exciting they included elements from the passing summer and also of the winter to come.

Grey Wagtail and Blackcap

A Grey Wagtail was seen at the stream and it or others were heard on several other occasions. Both Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were heard and seen as they fattened up on the rich harvest of berries. While at the ponds a female Teal made a brief stop before she caught wind of my presence and headed off again. Teal are regular winter visitors in small numbers to this site but I wasn't expecting to see one quite so early in the autumn. The alarm calls of Long-tailed Tits alerted me to a male Sparrowhawk which sped past following the stream, another bird was seen later. Croaking calls announced the arrival of a Raven which passed overhead, these large crows are becoming vocal again which makes picking them out much easier!

Raven and Great Spotted Pylonpecker

With the weather remaining dull it looked distinctly unpromising for insects so I was surprised to see a few hardy souls on the wing. Pick of the bunch was a pristine Painted Lady which paused long enough on its travels to let me admire it. A Small White was also flitting about for a brief period before it settled down. Finally a single Migrant Hawker was seen hunting near the stream, of all the dragonflies hawkers are perhaps the most tolerant of cloudy conditions.

Painted Lady and Small White.