What a change from yesterday’s glorious sunrise, today a damp grey foggy walk in the gloom, barely any change in light level!
Out across the fields where a group of Jackdaws were cackling as they flew past, always a fun bird to watch as they are constantly interacting with each other.
Erupting with a start from the Sycamore were two Wood Pigeons, the white markings on the wings easy to see, as they flew by, wings beating strongly as they headed into the fog.
With the lack of visibility, a chance to look more closely at some of the non-mobile species. In amongst the hedgerows the tall leaves of Harts-tongue Fern providing a brighter green. A small patch of Soft Shield Fern, the backs of the leaves covered in brown spots and spores, captured my eye.
The orange berries of Stinking Iris shining brightly from the burst cases, the long thin leaves smelling when torn.
Some wonderful splashes of pink from the berries of the European Spindle, inside the pink a dot of orange.
A few fungi to be discovered including the Field Blewitt, with its slimy looking top, some shrivelled up Parasols on the downs and the black hard lumps of King Alfred’s Cakes.
Hanging from the Oak trees a number of round balls which are the Oak Galls, each produced by the tree as a reaction to a tiny wasp, providing a safe haven for it to develop.
Just showing from the branches of the Blackthorn was a Robin, its bright red chest a welcome sight, the bird ‘ticking’ as it perched, while from the tops of the Holm Oaks the high pitched calling of Goldcrests could just be made out.