Winkworth Arboretum.. just catching the Autumn colour..

Had a wander at Winkworth today.. some vivid colour but some trees almost bare of leaves already...

Not good light for pics today...

Saw a pair of Common Buzzards soaring high; a few Long-tailed Tits.. the occasional Blue Tit. and heard Nuthatches quite a few times... Robins about too.. and my first Redwing of the season.

The boathouse was under lock and key.. it's in urgent neat of repair and the Natinal Trust need in the region of £45,000 to undertake the work.

and a tasty fruity scone for lunch... approved by Mr Ponders

Arundel WWT a brief visit

Today could have been a better day... moving swiftly on...

A major road that I needed today to get to an appointment was closed.. it's still closed ( at 17.42 GMT) from 03.45 this morning... so coming back from my appointment I had, again, to take a longer route.. which let me through Arundel..

so... I paid a quick visit to Arundel WWT... 

Not much about but the sun was glorious!!

West Dean Gardens and a pond with Goslings

Plan A - aborted as threatening black clouds were gathering.

They eventually cleared so off to West Dean Gardens.

Decided to walk up the hill along the Pheasantry Walk... I discovered  bit of it and more to explore on another day

All the usual sheepies in the field..

Seen one or two Red Admirals.. it was really warm in the sun though..

Badgers investigating..

Hmmm Pumpkins..

Don't think badgers are made to climb trees!!

Still some colour in the kitchen and walled gardens

Various gourds

I stopped at the pond on the way back curious to see if the Egyptian Geese Goslings were still about
I'd first seen 10 of them, very newly hatched on 30 September - they were tiny then

They were still there - and this time 9 of them.. only 1 missing which is quite a success

Three of their neighbours

Lovely and unexpected sunny day... getting cooler now... had first frost the other morning..