How beautifully autumnal a Red Kites plumage actually is. Seen here blending in with the beech trees early this morning Althorp They have a communal winter roost here in Althorp park and to think that these majestic birds of prey were on the edge of extinction right up

Two of the estates Sika stags were pumped up with testosterone today. [email protected] #rutting #Spencerestates

I was recently told by a naval historian that these canons were most likely used for "clearing the deck" in close combat ship to ship fully loaded with devastating scatter shot. [email protected] #Spencerestates

First "blue legs" of the season. A culinary delight. [email protected]

Hanging around with a "best mate" at Cheltenham! [email protected]

Our relatively new wetlands at Althorp are holding water and filling up nicely after storm Claudia. Aquatic vegetation is colonising the area too. Good numbers of snipe and various wading species are already showing up. [email protected] #Spencerestates

Muntjac doe nurturing and feeding her fawn in the middle of the footpath today. I waited until the little one had finished before walking through. [email protected] #muntjac #Spencerestates

The female caught fly-tipping at Althorp earlier in the year has received a four figure fine for her actions. Thank you, West Northamptonshire Council County Council, we very much appreciate the work you have done in this fly-tipping case. [email protected]

Annual maintenance at the Round Oval lake this week Althorp. The cutting and removal of the dead and dying aquatic plants help us to maintain the water quality throughout the year. [email protected] #Spencerestates

Carrion Crow with Leucism (partial loss of pigmentation) today. We also have a resident buzzard with the same condition. Albinism is the complete loss of melanin resulting in a fully white animal with pink or red eyes. [email protected] *A. Cox. #Spencerestates

Cock teal. [email protected] #Spencerestates

The 'Goldies' are building up in numbers in my garden now that the weather has changed a little. We've planted acres of teasels across the wider estate this year and we hope to see flocks of them this winter, (charms). [email protected]

We placed a number of very large tree "hulks" into our wetlands watercourse today. This is a widely used practice to enhance ecology through creating diverse habitats and boosting the biodiversity. [email protected] #Spencerestates #wetlands

Ah, there you are! Not seen this lodger since last Friday. I don't mind spiders at all, fascinating creatures. " If you want to live and thrive, let a spider run alive" [email protected] #spiders

Two of our barn owls Althorp yesterday. Winter preening is an important part of the pairs mutual bonding and feather maintenance. Mating courtship will begin in late winter. [email protected] Chris Payne schedule 1 licence.

Close up shot of a common buzzard that was feeding on carrion today Althorp [email protected]

This beautiful festive wreath was delivered by hand to Althorp today. All of the festive greenery was cut from Dallington Hall, a former home to the Spencer family. [email protected]

A diminutive shrew at Althorp's wetlands. Their super high metabolism rate means they have to eat a lot and will often consume up to 90% of their body weight daily. Spiders and worms are high on their menu. [email protected] #Spencerestates