I was surprised that the two Black Swans remained on the lake all month. Whilst still harassed a bit by the resident Mute Swan cob, they seemed to have reached an understanding. The extra four Mute Swan cygnets that arrived in late September brought the cygnet total to 10, but briefly, as they had dwindled to 7 by mid month and stayed at that number. Cormorant numbers dwindled through the month, suggesting that there were fewer fish to catch. Grey Wagtails have increased in recent years and were seen occasionally in the brook
I did the lake water sampling on the 14th when the Aphenozomenon had disappeared, so the risk of a bloom seemed over this year. There was plenty of blanketweed at the bottom of the lake and a more welcome return of the free-floating Rigid Hornwort, although not so abundant as to cause problems for water sports.
By the end of the month leaf fall was in full swing and the park staff were busy keeping paths clear with the leaf blower. The sweet flag around the lake fringe was also yellowing. The bare patches out in the Great Field had around 100 Feral Pigeons and a few Woodpigeons feeding on the grass seed.
