Birds on a Wire

Watching the migrants gathering on wires at Sheppey . . . . . mainly linnet, but with some goldfinch joining in the fun.

Goldfinch on the top wire

Further on there were several stonechat, probably a family group.

Other autumn signs were galls on poplar trees.
These spiralled lumps along the leaf petioles, create a red spiral shaped lump and the leaf then sticks out of the end of the gall.  These are usually caused by an aphid, probably Pemphigus spyrothecae, although the name p. protospirae is also referred.

Poplar spiral galls

There were also many wild flowers going to seed, which will provide great food for migrants as they pass through on their long journey south.

Here's to a great autumn.