News broke this week that scientists studying the Siberian permafrost have found it is melting at an alarming rate (and starting to release huge amounts of Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases). Some experts are claiming that global warming has reached "tipping point", and that future changes are likely to take place at a much higher rate than so far. An article in the Scotsman on Wednesday reported that Scotland was warming up faster than any other part of Britain. And yet, against the background of all this worrying news, nature gets on with its eternal routines as best it can. This week there have been real signs of autumn, with a big influx of Black headed Gulls and the first Lapwing flock of the year, both near Langbank. Also, some Birch trees are starting to change colour, and all of a sudden, there are no Swifts in the sky. Part of me is sad at the impending arrival of autumn (and winter), but another part is relieved that the eternal cycle goes on, in spite of us.