A correction on last months report, Betty Child's strange plant was not a Thorn Apple but an Apple of Peru, Nicandra physalodes.  Sylvia visited Betty and identified the plant after Betty said her plant was not like the Thorn Apple in her book.  Both these plants come from South America and Richard Mabey in his recent book on 'weeds' believes they could have arrived in Europe in bags of fertiliser.

Phil Monk in his garden has a hedge of Hazel.  A Great Spotted Woodpecker has been carrying hazel nuts to a tree and wedging them in a crack before pecking them until it can get the kernel out.  Phil also watched a Great Spotted pecker land in a tree in his garden before quickly hopping around the trunk out of sight.  Immediately a Sparrow Hawk landed on the spot where the pecker had been, it had a good look around before flying off.  The pecker waited until all was safe and then departed in the opposite direction giving a very loud alarm call.

James Bateman, 11/9, watched a gathering of Swallows and Martins on the wires by the sewage works.  This is a poplar site for migrating birds stopping for a meal on route to the south.  On 19/9 walking from Rayne to Panfield James saw a Wheatear perched on top of a tree before flying down to open ground, not a common sight in Rayne.  James who lives just outside the Parish was surprised to see a Chiffchaff on a home-made fat feeder of peanuts and lard.  It stayed for two days and frequently hovered at the door and perched on the door handle.  James commented on how small the bird was compared with a Blue tit.  A few of these small birds winter in the UK but most migrate further south as far as North Africa.
Barry Mouser 2/10 along Pods Brook watched a party of 3 to 4 Willow Warblers identified from their plumage as juveniles.  These warblers also migrate south as far as tropical Africa.

Roman Kukiewicz told me of a young Grass Snake found next to the pulpit in All Saints church on Mother's Day.  Roman said it reminded him of Mark's gospel: they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them.  It's surprising where a snake can go, slithering under doors is easy for the juveniles though Rayne church is not renown for heating up a cold blooded reptile.  The nearby ponds have a good supply of frogs for a hungry snake.  All the snakes reported in Rayne are Grass Snakes and are not poisonous but if you are unsure about your identification it may be sensible not to pick it up as you may be the first person to find an Adder.  If you do end up in Broomfield hospital please send me a record of your find or arrange for a relative to send it.

Chris and Wendy Bradbury 13/10 have seen a flock of 13 Yellowhammers on the wires near Duckend Green and a flock of about 30 Linnets in the same area.  The Linnets were also seen near the airfield above the sewage works.  Chris sent me a good picture of a Wheatear near the aerodrome.  There were two birds and one may be the same bird that James saw on the 11/9.  I am rather envious as I cannot recall having ever seen one in the Parish.
Robert Buchnell 12/10 saw a Barn Owl in the bushes near Old Hall cottages.  Robert also reported a Red Kite in Rayne.  At Little Saling bats have already started roosting in a new roof.

At Goulds we have had up to 15 Collared Doves feeding on our bird food.  One morning there was a circle of dove feathers including wing feathers on the lawn.  A Sparrow Hawk had obviously had an early breakfast and we never saw the doves for two days.  Eventually two pairs have returned but the others have decided it's not worth the risk.  Even the small birds are very wary rushing to a feeder before rapidly retreating to the safety of a bush.  The adult Moorhens are trying to chase off one of their offspring but have not managed to evict it yet.  The juveniles of the first brood always help out with feeding the youngsters of later broods but once autumn starts it is time for the adults to move them on to fresh territories.  Some humans I know who would like to evict their offspring from the family home could learn from the Moorhens, keep chasing from dawn to dusk and eventually they take the hint.
A Green Sandpiper has visited our lagoon; I believe it is the same bird that has been visiting for many years in the spring and late summer as it passes through.  Sometimes I only see it for about a week other times it stays for several weeks.  If disturbed it either heads for Old Hall moat and reservoir or in the direction of Pods Brook or the sewage works.  Phil Monk has seen a Yellow Wagtail on the lagoon.  On the 4/10 Sylvia saw a Hummingbird Hawk moth in the garden our third sighting this year.  On 13/10 Sylvia heard a Tawny Owl calling close to the house.  I hope it will find a mate and a nesting site in the Parish.

Roger Jiggins Tel. 01376 324 311, email mailto:r.jiggins@btconnect.com  (please put Wildlife as the subject)

Strawberry and Rookery meadows

I have allowed permissive walking only in these meadows for many years as they are in a national environmental scheme for the benefit of wildlife.  Unfortunately we have had three uninvited visits from 'travellers' in the past who have made short stays on these meadows and on one occasion left a considerable amount of rubbish.
I have had several warnings recently that caravans were on the move looking for a new site.  These warnings became more worrying with the imminent eviction of the Dale Farm 'travellers'.  A phoned warning late one afternoon led to my having to put an excavator onto the site the following morning to dig further trenches round the site.  At the same time we have had all the gates and bars on the farm cut on two separate occasions costing over £1500 to repair.  This was may not be connected to the movement of 'travellers' but heighted my concern.  Despite what politicians tell us it has become more difficult and very expensive to enforce eviction orders once 'travellers' have gained access.

Throughout Essex ditches have appeared and gateways blocked which I find sad as we are losing much of the open countryside views I used to enjoy.  I realise everyone who used the meadows to walk has been inconvenienced but you are still welcome to use them for permissive walking and I will try and improve the pedestrian access when the present problems improve.

Roger Jiggins