Just as I was preparing to attend the I Count rally in London, we were reminded of the increasing threats to our wildlife from climate change.
On 1 November, strong northerly winds and a surge tide caused considerable erosion of the sea defences on the Suffolk coast. The waves that morning were the most impressive I've seen on the east coast.
At Minsmere, the dunes at the northern end of the reserve were badly eroded and breached completely in one place. This exposed the inner, secondary defences to the power of the sea, threatening the important freshwater reedbeds in North Marsh. Although a small amount of saltwater did overtop these defences, there should be no lasting damage to the freshwater habitats.
A few miles to the north, RSPB Dingle Marshes nature reserve once again came off much worse. Almost two kilometres of shingle bank was washed out to sea, flooding most of the reserve with saltwater. Two deep channels remain, allowing the sea to flood through on every high tide.
Dingle Marshes is important for nesting bitterns and marsh harriers in the reedbed and lapwings on the grazing marshes. These are likely to be affected next year by a lack of food as many fish, invertebrates and earthworms, on which they feed, have been killed.
Later that week, we were pleased to welcome Geoff Hoon MP, Minister for Europe, to Minsmere to see how the RSPB has successfully spent EU LIFE money to benefit bitterns and other reedbed wildlife, and to manage the Scrape for avocets and terns.
After such a dramatic start to the month, the rest of November seemed much quieter in comparison particularly when our usual starling roost failed to materialise. Instead of 50,000 starlings per night, we only have a few hundred at present, as they have chosen to roost elsewhere.
Other wildlife has been more obliging. There were several sightings of otters, regular visits from Bewick's swans, and increasing numbers of wildfowl. The continuing mild weather also meant that a few red admirals were still about at the end of the month, and I even saw two house martins over nearby RSPB North Warren nature reserve this week.