Sept Top Trumps

[VivaLeBeaver]

I saw a stoat yesterday. It ran across the road in front of me and then did a mad stoat dance on the verge for a minute. Never seen one do a dance before but after googling it apparantly they are known for it.

I think I need my eyes testing though, thought it was a red squirrel at first until I got closer. Thought I'd discovered an enclave of red ones!

How lovely :)

OK this in no way trumps the stoat which surely must be this months winner, but a buzzard flew in front of the car on the way home and it cheered me up :)

This in no way trumps the stoat either (should love to have seen that) but the hedgehog that disappeared all summer is back on his rounds in the garden again.

I've been awol over the summer... the only notable critters were a local invasion of rats. They've been dealt with but we've an embargo on feeding the birds and DH reckons we'd better convert our little pond into a bog garden - the rats were coming to drink from it bold as brass in the daytime.

DH and DD went seal-spotting again at Hilbre, and while on holiday DD saw a dolphin quite close up

Seasonal cheer from the masses of butterflies on the sedums though!

Loads of birds migrating south. DS and I not experts but decided swifts in the end.

Earlier in the week, on the pond halfway up Rivington Pike, a late duckling. Hope the little mite grows quickly before the weather turns too cold... its a nice spot with a bench so hopefully there will be picnickers to feed it.