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Buzzard

With some fine late September weather the leaves are just starting to change colour and I am seeing some impressive cobwebs in the garden. As is usual at this time of year I am not putting out any food as experience shows that from late August through to November it will just rot in the feeders. Of course with the bad weather at harvest time feeding patterns may change a little this year, I saw very grey looking barley being combined well into this month.

On the drive to the station this morning the clear weather had me looking out at the bird life. Waiting for another vehicle on the single track section between Ley Hill and Latimer a large bird of prey suddenly came across at hedgerow height. It didn't seem right for a kite but as I was waiting in a gateway I had a look as it cleared the hedge abd turned to follow the high ground above Latimer Bottom. With no fork to the tail and wingtips splayed like fingers it was definitely a buzzard. By no means unknown around here but far less common than the red kites.

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