October 2011 part 4

22nd 8 buzzards today to either side of us in 2 groups circling higher and higher if only they were closer. More flocks fly through on this sunny but windy day.
23rd Mix of sun, cloud and wind.  More buzzards fly across a dramatic sky and a pair of rooks fly past.

 Rooks (Corvus frugilegus) Mainly living amongst tall trees, most rookeries are found on farmland . They are a very gregarious bird. They feed on farmland, rubbish tips and on road verges eating earthworms, grain , berries, beetles and other insects. Nests are built at the top of the tree in groups of up to 1000 each may contain 3-4 eggs.
As we pack away to come home I spot a beautiful spider and I don't like spiders much.

Common cross spider (Araneus diadematus) An extremely common spider variable in colour but always has a cross-shaped mark on its abdomen.