Up and about before daybreak today and had a Barn Owl fly right past me, the first in flight sighting this year, so the day was off to a great start.
We were ringing for a few hours, and it was fairly quiet. Six Chiffchaff and one had very dull colouring – possibly abietinus which breeds in Scandinavia. It also had a different call to the other birds.
Rod Ferbrache recently posted that he had bought a new hide for the garden. This is something that has been at the back of my mind for a little while. I have a camouflage net which is effective. I have used it on the beach and had Rock Pipit right next to me. A pop-up hide would have more structure and, with a chair, would be more comfortable. So, I treated myself to one for my birthday. I put it up a few days ago using just my binoculars to see how it worked out. My verdict – very successful – much closer to the birds and they were more relaxed than when I look at them from the front door. I even had a Robin perch on top and sing!
At lunchtime today I tried it out with my camera and tripod and I’m really pleased with the results, as the light levels were lowl. Aside from the birds, I love the soft Autumn greens. November is a beautiful month.
Female Greenfinch, Carduelis chlorine, with the over-the-shoulder look 
Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis 
Male House Sparrow, Passer domesticus 
Female House Sparrow, Passer domesticus 
Female Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
I spent some time this afternoon starting work on containing the German Ivy, Senecio mikanioides, on part of the northern boundary of Le Grand Pré Nature Reserve. This is an invasive non-native plant which is a real menace as it spreads so quickly. A week of hard frosts would knock it back but winters are less cold now.
German Ivy festooning the trees on the northern boundary of Le Grand Pré. 
It comes into flower at this time of year. 
I’ve made a start!
Natural history of the Bailiwick of Guernsey 