Autumn colour.

Not only are the leaves showing varying colour but the wildlife is too. Butterflies are still venturing out on sunny autumnal mornings, and dragonflies are making the most of the sun's rays by basking on every available warm surface.

Obviously we could not leave out a photo of the changing of lush green leaves to withering autumn colours. Below is an Oak tree making those such changes.

On a different scale of colour the Trailcam shot this image just after a Kingfisher had dived for it's lunch.

New beginnings and 5,000+ blog views

First off the blog has now received over 5,000 views so we are quite overwhelmed with that. It is nice to know there are people out there interested in the day to day running of a Country Park.

Secondly, we would like to welcome a couple of new team members, new team sketch to follow.

Thirdly, keeping on the theme of new beginnings a rare sighting of a Ladybird emerging from it's pupal state.

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On a sad note the Mulberry Tree dropped a branch (much to the delight of the local wood-turners group), so it got cleared up and is due to be trimmed back this Winter anyway.

Swan song

The seven cygnets are still growing every day and both parents are doing a brilliant job of showing them the right feeding grounds.

Small Tortoiseshell chrysalis

Recently we noticed a chrysalis and every now and again we photo it to see if it has changed.
Below is an image showing a colour change from a pale colour to the darker form of the Butterfly which is to emerge from it. 

In the next week this chrysalis will turn into a beautiful Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly.

Meadow madness

The Meadow is looking fantastic as usual...........and this year an Orchid even decided to make an appearance. Below are some pics of what you may see in the Meadow this year, including Bee, Devils Bit Scabious and Grasshoppers.

Photo friendly

Our job isn't all just about saving or photographing cute and cuddly creatures.................

A sign of things to come.....

Rufford has been as busy as ever with lots going on as always.
Recently a new sign was ordered to show people some of the birds that are using our lake as their home, as well as passing through occasionally on migration.
A spot was chosen overlooking the lake so that people can identify what birds they can see.

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Also some remedial work is being undertaken in the maze area where a new fence is being put in. There is still a lot to do here but it may be.......a sign of things to come.