Sunrise 06:22 Sunset 19:56 BST

We appear to be slipping into autumn already. Last week was wet and cold to what we have been used to in the past months. The garden is showing signs with yellowing leaves and we are starting to get some mists in the morning just before the sun rises.

I have noticed the Swallows gathering, at dawn they suddenly appear over Bere Marsh, yesterday morning there were hundreds flying around and flying quite high stretching their wings getting ready for their long flight.

Last evening we went down the lane around dusk for our final walk. We always stop in the spinney and look over the river, although with all the leaves it is difficult to see very much, just a narrow corridor towards the footbridge. I suddenly noticed some movement in a bush over the river, it was a Moorhen climbing up it! I said to Rod what I was watching and I don’t think he believed me until he saw it himself. Any way there was a lot of movement in the river under the bush and the waves moved up river. It was an Otter, the Moorhen had the sense to get out of the way although shortly after the Otter went upstream the branch broke and the Moorhen fell in the river, hopefully safely! Shortly after a Kingfisher flew by, we were certainly in the right place at the right time!

This morning was damp with a promise of better weather this week. I’m out before sunrise now the days are getting shorter but there is still plenty to see. I saw at least 3 Woodpeckers in different places drilling into dead trees for bugs. A Heron is busy patrolling our stretch of the river and the Robins appear to be extra vocal declaring their territory. Still plenty to enjoy when I’m out and about.