This week the weather has become truly autumnal with brisk winds and a chill in the air, so I walked to High Eske in hope that some interesting migrants may have arrived.

It was interesting to note that the fishermen alongside the River Hull were now underneath their shelters, whereas a few weeks ago they were soaking up what little sun there was.

Quite a number of Swallows and House Martins were still hawking for insects along the river and just a solitary Meadow Pipit gave me something to look at on the walk to the lake. Further disappointment was at the lake where hoards of Greylag Geese had comandeered virtually all feeding and roosting space, although numbers of Mallard had greatly increased to about 70-80. Other ducks included just 2 Tufted Duck, the long-staying female Goldeneye and 7 Gadwall.

A single Redshank was roosting at the lakeside along with a Snipe and 3 more Snipe flew overhead. 4 Grey Herons were standing around the lake and the usual assortment of Cormorants, Coot, Moorhens, Great Crested Grebes and Mute Swans were also present. Another sign of the seasons were much larger numbers of Black-headed Gulls than a month ago, with a group of a round 100 present in the area. However, the best sight was a pair of Foxes curled up, asleep together on the far side of the lake.

On the fields to the north of the lake a group of 47 Lapwings were feeding alongside Starlings, Stock Doves and Rooks. Whilst watching these a juvenile Marsh Harrier flew across and scared the whole lot away. The Marsh Harrier was consequently chased away by an angry Skylark!

With the rain beginning I started off home, but my attention was drawn to anumber of small birds in willow trees at the water’s edge. 7 Tree Sparrows, 8 Reed Buntings, a Willow Warbler, 18 Goldfinches, a Robin and a Dunnock formed something of a feeding flock but it was the group of 30 Pink-footed Geese flying south that really brought home the fact that the colder weather is on its way along with the darker evenings.

How depressing.

For over a year I have been hearing the screeching and hooting of Tawny Owls from my flat, just off of Beverley High Street, at night. Some nights it has been so loud that it has woken me up and there have been at least two Owls calling to each other. Although I live right in the town centre, I am close to the library, which has a number of mature trees in its grounds, and a car park which also has some very large trees. Added to this there are a couple of large gardens nearby and tree-lined residential roads.

Last night, I finally got to see one of these owls. At about 7.30 pm as it was getting dark my wife and I went out. To get to the car we had to cross the nearby car park and as we did a big tawny Owl flew over some roof tops and into the large trees in the car park at the back of some houses.

It was quite satisfying to finally see one here and it is quite amazing to see this species right in the town centre.

In addition, this morning as I was walking across the car park again, a large group of Long-tailed Tits were feeding noisily. In the past I have heard Goldcrests singing in the same location; maybe I should start a Beverley town centre list!

The bright sunny skies tempted me out for a walk along the River Hull to the lake at Eske this morning. However, the brisk wind had a cold feel to it and with some trees beginning to change colour there was a real feel of autumn.

Unfortunately, this did not really extend to the birds. Autumn is a time of expectation for birdwatchers but quite frankly I always find it rather disappointing as I am not really into chasing around after rarities. Today was a typical autumn day for me, with few birds of interest.

The most interesting bird turned up on my walk up to the lake with a female Wheatear flushing from the grassy track. Plenty of Swallows and House Martins were flying around over the river catching insects – their last feed before migration? The only other interesting species on the walk to the lake was a Yellowhammer in an advanced state of moult. On the grassy bank I found a dead Woodpigeon that looked like it had been destined to be something’s dinner, but the feast had been cancelled due to the diner being scared off.

At the lake very little out of the ordinary was to be found, just Greylag Geese, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 13 Coot, 15 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 24 Mallard, just 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 male Teal and a female Goldeneye. In willow trees at the north end of the lake a Whitethroat was flitting around, showing off its fresh plumage.

Ploughed fields to the north of the lake held good numbers of Lapwings and Starlings along with Rooks and Black-headed Gulls. Whilst I was soaking up the sunshine in a spot sheltered from the wind 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew overhead, one adult and one second winter.

Heading back I added Kingfisher and Cormorant to the list at the lake and 2 Meadow Pipits flew overhead along with a Pied Wagtail – possibly a small migrating group. Someway back a Snipe flew south along the river and a Kestrel was hunting overhead as the weather became worse, buildling for rain which came later.