Wednesday 7th September (Autumn and the Leaves are Dropping and so are Bird Numbers)


Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window into a grey sky with some lighter patches in the east. Agentle breeze shook the dying leaves on the lime tree. On the ground more golden brown leaves were collecting by obstacles that the wind blew them against. The surviving leaves on the shrubs and trees looked sombre; darkening as they held on to the final stages of their existence. Soon they would be at the mercy of the wind as it blew them into oblivion.

Now on this autumnal day Mr. Kite did some bird-watching on the internet via Google. This was not by web-cam, or video link but still pictures posted in news articles. Mr. Kite has watched swifts this year, recorded when he first saw them and the sightings as they dwindled away as they returned to warmer climates. However in London the swift is now in the amber category with respect to their status; that is a concern that their numbers are declining and approaching red; when they could face extinction over The Capital joining wrynecks and red-backed shrike.

Also today willow tits and lesser-spotted woodpeckers joined the amber category as their numbers have declined by 91% and 76% respectively. So that was the bad news; now for the good news. After strong winds in South Wales the Manx Shearwaters swept onto the shore were collected up and dried out prior to being released on a good day when they will stand a good chance of reaching the South Atlantic.

On that positive note Mr. Kite will toast of those good-hearted volunteers who helped the manx shearwaters. Cheers with a tipple of Tetley tea.