Abernyte.org and Abernyte Community Company

One thing about this summer – nobody posted messages about being bitten by mites– we still got annoyingly bitten but nothing like last year.  Last year’s hot dry summer had it’s disadvantages and was certainly different from this year’s generally cooler wetter one.  But we did have a bit of indian sun, just when the summer holidays were finished and many of us back at school or work. 

 Several folk have been delighted to find Jays visiting their gardens, sometimes on bird tables or feeding on wild foods in the garden.  Gordon notes that the Scottish Executive are thinking of removing this from the list of pest species – and judging by the pleasure they give when sighted, some of us would definitely be in favour of that.

 Abernyte was graced with at least one pair of nesting spotted flycatchers.  These look like standard LBJS (little brown jobs) until you notice that they are sitting very upright and making frequent forays into the air from a prominent vantage point, often on a branch, fence or gate, to catch insects.  They appreciate cattle or other livestock close by, because of the flies that are found around them.  Nestling tree sparrows, swallows and wrens in Abernyte were ringed by members of the Tay ringing Group, so watch out for rings on dead birds and return them if found.  These can give valuable information about the lives and movements of birds.  

 Unfortunately many birds are killed by collision with windows annually, particularly it seems, the recently fledged juveniles.  There is a link on the Abernyte website to a BTO site which offers advice on this problem.  One thing that may help is making windows more visible with stickers.   These can be obtained from RSPB shops such as the one at Vane Farm near Kinross.  

 Whether triggered by warmish wet weather or not, we’re not sure, but there were large numbers of toads on the roads around the parish from July for several weeks.  They appeared on the road just after it got dark.  Driving along the road after dark was not a pleasant experience for toad lovers.  Helping toads across the road was often necessary.    Toads were also noted getting squashed, last year – but slightly later, in the middle of August.  Mary at Guardswell thought that the toads had not been seen so much on the Abernyte-Kinnaird road until last year.  This might indicate a new breeding site.  We’re not sure where they may be breeding.  Does anyone know?

Signs of autumn noted by Nature diary reporters included swallows gathering ready to move south.  Large numbers were seen on the wires near Milton in the first week of September.  Several weeks after this, individuals were still around, and swallows, possibly from further north, were moving south through Abernyte.  These included one beautiful white swallow seen near Pitmiddle by Gordon Nicol.  There is a super picture of it posted on the website – well worth having a look at. 

 Another evocative reminder of Autumn, the sound of geese arriving from the north – Iceland mainly – was heard by many in Abernyte (& Glenbran) well before the last of the moving chain of swallows had passed over, and more than two weeks earlier than noted last year.  Weather conditions and prevailing winds must influence the timing of their departure from the breeding grounds. 

 Other winter migrants have been coming in from the continent.  Redwings & Fieldfares are around, often travelling together.   They like to feed on fallen apples or rowan berries in gardens.  Other more local birds not seen so much during the summer have been appearing around the village - these include Mistle Thrush and Oystercatcher and Tawny Owls hooting in their search for new territories. 

 It has seemed a long autumn, the leaves today, 18th November, are still coming off the trees in dribs and drabs, but having experienced a ground frost on November 2nd and a -2o C on 13th, we have to admit that winter must have begun.  Will there be enough snow for the first sledging run?