Once more the sky covered in a thick carpet of grey cloud, making the morning seem dull and dark, and chilly!
This weather makes it much more difficult to identify any wildlife, particularly at a distance, while its moving or when camouflaged against a grey backdrop – so not much to see as I walked around the meadows and over the downland!
However, a flight of about 10 Wood Pigeons tore past, the sound of their wings clapping very recognisable, as was the chunky bodies and blocks of white on their wings.
From the bottom of the Blackthorn and Bramble hedgerow, the sound of movement could be heard, the loud footsteps on the dry leaves turned out to be those of a Pheasant, walking along, the dappled brown body and long tail appearing eventually as I waited.
In the other corner of the field a flash of orange caught my attention, and here a Fox skulked along the edge, the thick tail tipped with a large white brush.
A sudden ‘yaffle’ as a Green Woodpecker took off, the bright yellow and green of this bird showing well in the gloom.
Song Thrushes and Blackbirds were to be spotted throughout my walk, perched in the bushes and scrub, occasionally taking flight, often with a sudden call.
Against the dry-stone wall, the shape of a Roe Deer spotted, while another one appeared in view a little further along. Both of these sporting their dull grey/brown winter pelage.
A short search for a newly emerged Cathrus Ruber (Red Cage fungus), but only the gungy red remains of an old one seen, but some fresh examples of Jelly Ear and Many-zoned Polypore found instead.