Barely awake

That's how the valley felt this morning in the cold and fog, but actually the reference is to a canal barge.  when there are no birds around one tends to notice the boats and the often original names they have such as the aforementioned.
Anyway as the weak November sun penetrated the fog so things gradually came to life and a circular walk between the water bridge and the meccano became very pleasant.
sometimes you can walk past something many times before you take it in properly. such is the case with me and the Oak tree opposite the MS centre which really is a magnificent tree but is also supporting a huge amount of Ivy. I wonder if it is any threat to the tree.
Birdwise many blackbirds clearly local birds supplemented by Scandinavian visitors but de4spite flyovers still only single Redwing and for me no Fieldfare yet in the valley.  have seen large groups of both in the Shropshire Wealds.  not sure whether will be any berries left for them certainly the good numbers of  local thrushes have already polished off  many of the local supply.  Also good numbers of jays and long tailed tits.  3 goldcrest today was not as good as 7 last weekend but clearly they have done well.  4 great spotted woodpeckers and 2 nuthatches also seen. 3 little grebe were by the boats.
Only one grey wagtail seen today on the smestow but last weekend had 3 at the spill weir two engaged in a territorial dispute whilst a juvenile fed in the culvert, and no kingfisher today having seen one on three consecutive days at the start of the month. the regular bird between meccano and newbridge and then probably a different bird at aldersley junction and possibly the same bird at Oxley sewage works.  Also at Oxley were two grey wags so with a regular bird in my garden we seem to have at least 7 winterers.
finally butterflies just made it into November with a presumed red admiral on the 2nd after several on the barleyfield at the end of October.