Autumn? by what measure Monday 2nd September

So its Autumn, according to the Met office, for those of us with any connection to the seasonal working of the natural world will know that for many birds autumn has been underway since the first returning waders to the shore and marshes, the departing of the Swift and the gathering on the wires of Swallows and House Martins.

On the matter of Swallows, these trans Saharan travellers seemed to arrive later this year but it looks like decent numbers bred at Pembrey Country Park as usual.

Sandwich, Common, Arctic and Little Tern have all been recorded from along the Pembrey Coast in the last week or so, with over 200 Sandwich terns at the high tide roost opposite Old Pembrey Harbour.

Today, a day off coincided nicely with a decent forecast so I ventured out for a very short ringing session dominated by Blackcaps, mostly birds of the year but with a few adults. Only two of the catch were carrying any appreciable amount of fat for their journey to the south.

I took the opportunity to pick a feed of the abundant Blackberries, the small amount I took won't impact on the availability for Blackcaps to feast on, The wasps and butterflies including the very smart Comma are also making the most of the juicy Blackberries.

Many of the berry bearing trees and shrubs are laden with berries, a sign, not perhaps of harsh weather to come but, of the benign spring and summer.

With less people about most days get out and enjoy the great green spaces we have in Carmarthenshire.