With a forecast of good weather I decided see how the autumn colours were coming on. With a stop at Thame to visit the farmers' market I drove to Oxford University's Harcourt Arboretum.
On the birding side the arboretum is home to a flock of feral pea fowl.
I saw this fellow just as I came in. Despite the notices I am sure that enough visitors feed them to encourage them to lurk near the car park.
There were too many leaves to see much in the way of small birds. Red Kites are now common enough for the one circling overhead to be unremarkable. I did disturb a green woodpecker and among recent planting I also started a solitary roe deer.
It was a little early for much in the way of colour although the young trees in an area of new planting were all turning and the acers were well on the way to looking spectacular although the mature native trees were still largely green.
On the birding side the arboretum is home to a flock of feral pea fowl.
I saw this fellow just as I came in. Despite the notices I am sure that enough visitors feed them to encourage them to lurk near the car park.
There were too many leaves to see much in the way of small birds. Red Kites are now common enough for the one circling overhead to be unremarkable. I did disturb a green woodpecker and among recent planting I also started a solitary roe deer.
It was a little early for much in the way of colour although the young trees in an area of new planting were all turning and the acers were well on the way to looking spectacular although the mature native trees were still largely green.
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