Jays, usually quite secretive birds that remain unobtrusive skulking around the canopies of oak trees, are much more prominent now and can be seen flying out in the open. They are busy preparing their winter food cache, predominantly acorns, but will also collect beech mast, hazelnuts and sweet chestnuts.

There was another new fly added today, finding what I believe to be a Hooded Dryomyza (Dryomyza anilis) on brambles.

Having seen my first ever Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus) just 11 days ago I photographed another this morning on dogwood.

Surprise of the morning was a queen White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum). This is probably a newly emerged queen that has left the nest to feed and seek a mate, before finding a suitable spot to dig a small hole known as a hibernaculum where she will hibernate until spring.

The low mid-morning sun was highlighting nicely the lichen on east-facing surfaces on the branches of several different trees.

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