November doldrums

Well that's the autumn finished on and around Newlands Farm. There are still a few Chaffinches and Meadow Pipits kicking around, but the winter thrushes and finch flocks have abandoned the area leaving behind a sorry mix of Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Wood and Feral Pigeons, Collared Doves, House Sparrows and Starlings. These will be my staple fare for the next four months, although there are Waxwings knocking about in the Thanet suburbs, so they will be an expected addition to the year list at some point between now and Christmas?

One of these spectacular winter visitors can brighten up your darkest of days. Will I see one around Newlands this year?

Yesterday saw a  Swallow fly south over the garden, my latest "patch" record, but nowhere close to the latest Kent bird I've seen. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is horrendous, with severe northerly gales overnight and lingering into Monday morning - ideal conditions for a wreck of Little Auks around our coastline. It was John Hollyer who once told me that "Bonfire Night" was always a good date for a Kent Little Auk, a few days either side being his experienced prediction. I'm on "lates" next week, so might make the effort to get across to North Foreland in the morning to see if these gales have delivered.
I've not been feeling too sparkling, recently, and although I got up at 04.30 hrs, this morning, didn't bother going out onto the marsh for a pike session. Uncontrollable shivering and a streaming cold being all the incentive I required to climb back into my warm bed; there's always another day - Tuesday or Wednesday look favourite. I'm in limbo at present, I need a plan, a challenge, and one that fires my enthusiasm - I'm struggling for inspiration. Simon is thinking about Grand Union Canal perch fishing - I could be persuaded to attempt a similar project on The Royal Military? Time will tell.