Autumn Anticipation

A Green Sandpiper - one of the first waders to return for autumn in mid-June

I hate to say it, but I had the first ‘whiff’ of autumn today.  Today is 23rd June!!
I’m not sure exactly what it was.  Maybe…
 
…the movement of small flocks of tits through the apple trees in the garden
      …the calls of young Goldcrests on the move
          …the news that a returning male Redstart was found this morning on the Herts border
             …a slight damp in the air, despite the warmth
 
Of course, summer is still to come…at least I really hope it is…but certain sights and sounds trigger seasonal feelings, and they are not altogether inaccurate.  After all, the return passage of waders is underway with Green Sandpipers reappearing at the local gravel pits along with a lone Redshank.  Lapwing numbers are increasing although new broods of chicks are still appearing.  Gull numbers are growing and today the first juvenile Black-headed Gull joined the growing numbers of adults at the local pits.
 
And yet our butterflies are hardly out yet and the Ragwort not quite in bloom.  Summer still has plenty to bring forth and yet, in the background, the quiet recession back to winter has begun!  I love it and for me there is no sadness, only anticipation.  Change brings the unexpected and while it would on occasion feel good to be in a forever-summer, the long days would grow dull and I don’t mean meteorologically!

Small & Large Skipper Butterflies - signs that summer still has plenty to give!