Opulent colour in a Surrey wood: Country diary, 9 October 1920

9 October 1920 There is colour everywhere, from the glittering leaves to the cloud of blue and grey, white or red as wood pigeons float down to feedSurreyOur woods are opulent; colour everywhere, from ground spread over with bracken standing almost breast-high and of mellow brown to the yellow tops of the tallest elms, whose leaves glitter when they are shaken by the flight or pitch of immense flocks of starlings going and returning nearly the whole day. On the bare ground under edible-chestnut trees lie heaps of long-spiked husks, the needles are strong enough to hold the husk above the face of the earth, and yet so delicate at the tapering point that held in the palm they make no more impression than does a wood-spider crawling there. When the sun is at meridian the husks burst open; the nuts here are small, but down float the wood pigeons to feed, in a little cloud of blue and grey, white or red, when they turn before alighting. This part of the wood is enclosed in a ring fence; they seem to know there is more safety there, yet the slightest movement sends them off again. Related: Country diary: fiery trees make a lavish display for stately home visitors Continue reading...