After the recent high winds and rain, it was a welcome sight to see the sun again and to feel its weak yet pleasant warmth on my back.

I had taken myself off on a bit of a wildlife wander and I was walking through a narrow pathway surrounded by overhanging trees. The ground was covered with fallen leaves of orange and gold while still more cascaded down from the canopy high above. The air was sweet with the smell of the damp foliage which lined my route.

At the soft call of birdsong, I instinctively looked up and a saw a small flock of long-tailed tits flitting from tree to tree in search of insects. These birds often visit bird tables in winter when insect levels are lower, finding fat balls a good alternative.

Long-tailed tits weren’t the only birds in good voice. There were robins, wrens, blue and great tits, as well as numerous rooks, crows and jackdaws – their voices almost echoing in the stillness of the air as they joined in this wildlife ensemble.

Coming to a gap in the trees, I looked across to an open field where a small group of rabbits were munching on the fresh grass, still sprinkled with the early morning dew. High above I heard the meowing of a buzzard as it circled the skies and I wondered if it too was watching the rabbits as I made my way back on such a beautiful day for a wildlife wander.

LB Loxley