Click on the link to send in your sightings info@foteb.org.uk to help us monitor Emm Brook wildlife.This type of ‘citizen science’ allows us to get a clearer picture of what is happening along the Emm.

For previous months sightings see Archive

The "Area Seen" refers to the 11 sections that the Brook has been split into for monitoring purposes (see Wildlife page under Monitoring ).

For what you can expect to see on the Emm this month, click here September

All sightings unless stated are from personal observations by Eddie Napper.

Click on any picture to see a larger image

October 2025

What is this life if full of care , we have no time to stand and stare.

 Leisure - W. H. Davies.

Birds

11/10/25 Male Kestrel Once again in Area 10, a male Kestrel was on the wires in Lavells Lake Car Park field making frequent but unsuccessful drops into long grass beside the wooden fence. Seen and photgraphed by Michael Hubbard .

09/10/25 A male Kestrel was seen to have caught a dragonfly at Lavells Lake in Area 10 and landed on the scrape to eat. Witnessed by Nick Kightley.

08/10/25 Michael Hubbard was in Area 7A at Skinner Drive Balancing pond and saw 6 Pied Wagtail and a Kestrel that flew over before landing on tree at the north end of balancing pond. In Area 4 a Redwing was seen by Paul Bright-Thomas flying low West over his garden, first seen of autumn.

07/10/25 Paul Bright-Thomas was watching from his Area 4 garden and saw a Chiffchaff in amongst a large tit flock and 7 Greylag Goose flying low South West.

05/10/25 In Area 10 at Black swan Lake 10+ House Martin were seen over the south end of the lake by Fraser Cottington.

02/10/25 Grey Wagtail A Mistle Thrush was seen in the Area 10 Car Park field by Nick Kightley and 2 Grey Wagtail in front of the Activity Centre seen by Alan Jackman. In the Emm Brook at Ripplestream Bridge in Area 4 was a Grey Wagtail .

01/10/25 In Area 7A seen in Ashridge Meadows by Paul O' Neill were 3 Meadow Pipit a Green Woodpecker and a male and female Stonechat alongside Ashridge Stream at the entrance to the meadows . A female Tawny Owl was heard calling in Area 4 at 20:30.

Insects

13/10/25 Merville du jour The moth-trap, was out in my Area 4 garden overnight on 12/10/25 and emptied this morning . The catch was 11 moth's of 8 species. Highlights were 2 Merville du jour Griposia aprilina .One of our most beautiful moths, translates as 'Marvel of the Day' in French and a Red-line Quaker Red-line Quaker Griposia aprilina . With 2 new moth species added ,the total for 2025 is now 288 species. Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

11/10/25 Least Carpet Back from a week in Cornwall birdwatching, so the moth-trap, was out in my Area 4 garden overnight on 10/10/25 and emptied this morning . The catch was 16 moth's of 10 species. Highlight was a Least Carpet Idaea rusticata .They usually have only one flight season but I believe this is from a 2nd brood. With no new moth species added ,the total for 2025 is still 286 species. Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

03/10/25 As the forecast was for overnight rain , only the patio light was on in my Area 4 garden overnight on 02/10/25 and the wall behind it was checked for moths this morning . Last nights catch was 9 moth's of 8 species. Unfortunately no highlights. With no new moth species added ,the total for 2025 is still 286 species. Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

02/10/25 Common Darter Seen soaking up a brief bit of sun in the Area 10 Car Park field was a male Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum dragonfly. This is one of the smaller dragonflies. The male is orange-red but becoming brown with age.

01/10/25 Green-brindled Crescent The moth-trap, was out in my Area 4 garden overnight on 30/09/25 and emptied this morning . Last nights catch was 7 moth's of 4 species. Black Rustic Highlight were a Green-brindled Crescent Allophyes oxyacanthae and a Black Rustic Aporophyla nigra . With 2 new moth species added ,the total for 2025 is now 286 species. Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

Plants/ Trees

Every year the leaves on the trees and hedgerows change colour from green to a yellow/gold before falling , find out why at Why do leaves change colour .

02/10/25 Water Mint Still in flower in the Area 4 Balancing pond is Water Mint Mentha Aquatica.

01/10/25 Acorns Have you noticed a bumper crop of acorns this year? You’re not alone – it seems that across the UK, Oak trees are having what’s known as a mast year. The bountiful harvest is a clever strategy to ensure the future generation of oak trees and it’s welcome food for wildlife too. For more information click on the link Acorns

Fungi/ Lichen

Reptiles

Fish

Mammals

09/10/25 By the Green Bridge in Area 10, Peter Scudamore saw a Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus jump into the Loddon river as it was disturbed by people in garden on other side, it came out right next to me and ran off down the path.

08/10/25 Seen by Wendy Warwick in Area 5 a probable American Mink Neovison vison running across the field by the play area.

04/10/25 During this mornings litter pick a female Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus was seen running alongside the river.

02/10/25 Squirell Making the most of the bumper crop of tree fruits this year are Squirell Sciurus carolinensis . This one was seen in Area 4.

Molluscs