October wildlife sightings from a garden in Annan

This month has been very unusual in that the weather has been very mild. The wind has been so gentle that the leaves are still on many of the trees showing off their beautiful autumn colours.  There has been no frost to put an end to the growth of  many summer plants so we still have cosmos, nasturtiums and dahlias flowering!
Moths and butterflies have almost disappeared from our records this month though on sunny days the odd few have still been spotted. Moth traps and accessories have been officially put away for the winter!
Our max for this month is as follows:
Red Admiral - 7
Small tortoiseshell - 1
Silver Y moth - 1 (a day-flying moth)
Many birds have reappeared this month - house sparrows and starlings have been most numerous but it has been nice to see a good variety. We have also seen geese flying overhead as they return to D&G for the winter, often hearing them before we actually see them! However we have said goodbye to House Martins and Swallows as they fly off to warmer countries.
Our monthly max for birds:
Blackbird - 2 male, 3 female
Blue Tit - 4
Carrion Crow - 1
Chaffinch - 1 male, 1 female
Coal Tit - 4
Collared Dove - 2
Dunnock - 3
Geese - 150 flying overhead
Goldfinch - 3
Great Tit - 2
House Martin - 12
House Sparrow - 20 male, 15 female
Jackdaw - 4
Robin - 1
Rook - 1
Sparrowhawk - 1
Starling - 35
Swallow - 2
Wood Pigeon - 1
Wren - 1

Do you know the difference between members of the crow family? if not, here is a short guide:

 

 

The all black carrion crow is a fairly sociable bird, often found alone or in pairs.

 

 

The rook with it's bare, greyish-white face, thinner beak and peaked head distinguish it from the carrion crow. They are very sociable birds and feed and roost in flocks.

 

 

 

This is a small black crow with a distinctive silvery sheen to the back of its head. The pale eyes are very noticeable.

 

 

 

The hooded crow is closely related to the carrion crow but can be more sociable and groups of them can be seen together in fields.

 

Species to look out for in November:

The fieldfare is a large member of the thrush family. The head and rump are grey, with a chestnut -red back and wings and the chest and flanks are heavily spotted.

 

The redwing is smaller with its creamy stripe above the eye and a distinctive orange-red patch on the flanks, which is also visible in flight.

 

(Info & pictures from RSPB website)