The last butterfly I saw was on 6th October, a probable red admiral at Chollerford on the way to a small group walk at Miltonrigg Woods near Brampton. It was an impressive piece of ancient woodland and a pleasant walk, although not much wildlife was spotted. I did see a few long-tailed tits, a buzzard and a thrush. Otherwise there were quite a few funghi around.
Tree Fungus
There were of course examples of non-wildlife around and we met these welcoming sheep, though fortunately not the bull that was supposed to be in a neighbouring field.
Sheep
I was back in the same area yesterday for a walk with son and fiancée around the Geltsdale RSPB reserve. Ironically we'd had a recent discussion about not seeing many kestrels but I've never seen as many as we saw yesterday - scores of them, often three or four in the air at the same time.
There were a few buzzards too. While we were watching a faster bird passed over with pointed wings and we concluded it was a peregrine.
Unfortunately there was a much sadder sighting - a wee barn owl chick that had fallen from the nest and seems certain to die. Ages since I saw one.
Barn Owl
Others we saw were tufted duck, barnacle goose, goldfinch and siskin (probable).
There were several things we hoped to see and didn't, confirming that there are good reasons to go back there, It's far more strikingly pictoresque than I had remembered...
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