Having been a military aircraft enthusiast all my life, a trip to Hendon RAF museum is always revealing and interesting. 

On a visit in late September I was waiting outside for a like-minded friend and stood by the static display of legendary spitfire and hurricane.

Suddenly, a bird flew from behind me at shoulder height.

I thought at first that it was a housemartin, having a pale rump and as I watched, the bird zoomed up and perched on the utmost tip of the spitfire's tail fin (see picture).

But it was no martin but a wheatear, so here were two aerial icons together.

The last time I saw a wheatear was in the mountains and moorlands of Wales where this summer visitor nests low down in rock crevices and drystone walls.

In late September and early October wheatears, most attractive and colourful birds, leave our shores to head back to their winter quarters in central Africa, so this individual, after resting for a few moments took off and flew southwards.

For a few weeks now birds have been trading places with our summer migrants returning mainly to Africa whilst various ducks and geese fly into Britain.

As the weather deteriorates and cold sets in I look forward to welcoming redwings and fieldfares, both stunning members of the thrush family which can arrive in huge flocks from Scandinavia intent on raiding our autumnal berry harvest.

If fortunate, we may also see waxwings later on and they can often be found in supermarket carparks where pyracantha has been planted.

On the subject of thrushes, sadly I have not heard a single songthrush all this year but hopefully they will begin singing soon to brighten winter days.