A Warm Autumns Day

What a beautiful day and an opportunity to have a walk around Stanton Park. Lots to see so no long write up, but a few photos to show what was about.

The Pool with just the remaining adult Mute Swans.

Two Moorhens having a dispute.

Nothing unusual about this shot, but in the centre of the photo was a large bed of nettles, which for some unknown reason had about a dozen Hornets in amongst them! In the very background you can just make out Stanton House Hotel.

A Hornet on a nettle.

It seemed very interested in something!

A bit too close for comfort as I switched to macro and got a bit too close.

Happy with this shot. Not only is it nice and sharp, but its also flying away from me.

A pair of Ravens

That wedged tail very distinctive.

And here's a comparison, the Raven on the left and a Carrion Crow on the right, both photographed today.

One of 4 Buzzards over the park

This one was certainly not welcome by the Carrion Crows.

Here it looks like they've got their way.

As it quickly flew off

And did a tight turn before flying off.

A Red Kite also flew in.

A very graceful raptor

It almost comes to a hover, but just the camera freezing the moment. 

Brimstone butterfly, normally the first butterfly of Spring and now it appears to be the last butterfly of Autumn, however I did come across a Speckled Wood.

Ladybird or Harlequin!

And another!

Bird Species Recorded: Mute Swan, Mallard, 1 Red Kite, 4 Buzzard, Water Rail, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 1 Skylark, Grey Wagtail, Dunnock,
Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Treecreeper, Wren, Jay, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 2 Raven, Chaffinch, Siskin and Goldfinch.

Also: Speckled Wood, Brimstone, 12+ Hornets, Common Wasp, Drone Flies, 100+ House Flies, Dragonfly sp.