Summer is still with us but there is a hint of autumn in the early mornings and late evenings. The bird song is almost non existent apart from the occasional robin; he doesn’t sing at this time of the year to attract a mate but to warn others that this is his territory. Swallows are starting to gather on the wires, a sure sign that summer is coming to an end, and if you are wondering, no, they didn’t nest in my stables after all, but I like to think that they’ve earmarked the site for next year.

The blackberries are turning and I’ve already had my first taste of blackberry and apple pie, a combination of flavours that must have been invented in heaven. The sweet chestnut, hazel nut and acorn crops look promising but I have been unable (up here, anyway) to find any evidence of a beech mast crop. Perhaps they had such a bumper harvest last autumn that the trees do not feel the need to reproduce this year.

For those of you who are interested in Forest fungi look out for Chantrelle, Hedgehogs, Giant puffballs and Oyster mushrooms. The warm weather combined with the good rain showers that we’ve had recently has promoted some early growth. Please remember, do not pick anything you are unsure of and don’t be greedy and pick more than the recommended personal limit of 1.5 kg.

I was listening to the local radio recently and I heard a report of two sightings of red kites near the Forest. One sighting was at Ringwood and the other was close to Totton. These are magnificent birds and are becoming very common, thanks to successful release programmes, in other parts of the country but my nearest personal sighting was, until recently, near Hungerford. Imagine my delight when, as I was driving across the ridge on the B3078 near Deadman Hill, I spotted my first red kite on the Forest. I’m sure that other motorists must have thought me mad as I hastily pulled over and jumped out of the car with my binoculars. Keep your eyes peeled for a sight of these birds, they are generally bigger than a buzzard and if you cannot see their beautiful red plumage that gives them their name, then look for the distinctive forked tail that will enable you to distinguish it from other large birds of prey. Incidentally, the child’s toy kite was named after these birds because of their habit of hovering in the sky.

I was blessed not long after the aforementioned sighting with the most incredible appearance of a family group of three peregrine falcons. I was fishing at Damerham when they passed over the lakes chattering shrilly to each other and giving me a very privileged view of them. Not long after that I saw another single peregrine just by the Crow fork at Burley Street, so keep a look out for these sleek falcons as you move around the Forest.

Whilst at the New Forest show I mentioned the presence of these birds to one of the men on the RSPB stand. He told me that the red kite was probably an offspring from birds that were released near Basingstoke some three years ago. He informed me that peregrines had nested this year on one of the Fawley power station chimneys, the Sway tower and Salisbury cathedral spire and he reckoned that these nesting sites could have been the source of the birds I had spotted.

Finally listen out in the early morning and at dusk for the owls. It’s that time of year when they are very vocal and it’s entertaining to sit out and listen to the many and varied noises they make as they talk to each other.

But if you don’t they won’t give a hoot!

Ian Thew

Ian reveals himself in next weeks tale, when a loosely attached towel fell off and left him exposed, clad only in a shotgun and a pair of carpet slippers.