LISTEN carefully and up high in the night sky of Clackmannanshire, the thin wispy calls of redwings can be heard as they make their way inland after migrating across the North Sea.

There has been a real influx of these delightful little thrushes over the last couple of weeks as they arrive in Scotland to seek respite from the soon-to-arrive freezing weather in Scandinavia and beyond.

It is a magical time and during the day look out for them as they feast upon autumn berries.

This is a time of plenty, and in particular, I’ve noticed that the hawthorns in the hedgerows of the Wee County are hanging heavy with scarlet berries.

But such year-end bounty won’t last for ever, so the redwings must work around-the-clock to fatten themselves up.

Redwings look similar to song thrushes, but are slightly smaller and sport a distinctive pale eye-stripe and red patches on their flanks and underwings.

Cackling flocks of fieldfares often accompany these roving flocks of redwings – such elegant birds with their grey head and rump, combined with a warm creamy speckled breast.

They too are autumn arrivals from Scandinavia and eastern Europe.

Although redwings and fieldfares are heralds of winter, there are still signs of the summer hanging on.

Red admiral butterflies continue on the wing, but not for much longer as the last of our flowers begin to wilt.

It is a time of arrival for some and demise for others; this really is a season of change and a time to wonder at the sheer diversity of nature.

@BroomfieldKeith