Winter's early signs



      The first winter visitors have begun to arrive and we think they are a little bit early. A flock of about twenty fieldfares are apple raiding in the orchard, pecking into the apples and leaving them unfinished too. Obviously we've got some serious competition on the apple eating front and before long the flock will number hundreds and we will be heavily outnumbered.
      Last Thursday, while the two Jack Russells were rooting about in the orchard undergrowth they put up the first Woodcock of the winter and stood amazed as it whirred away into the twilight. So there's another winter visitor to add to the list.
      From now on we'll have to up our apple consumption to make sure we get our share.
      That'll keep us regular.