There’s always one big positive to the short winter days, and that’s how easy it is to catch the late sunrises. Today I enjoyed seeing the sun rise through dappled cloud of a beautiful pink and orange sky.
A good crowd of Great Tits and Blue Tits pick away at the bird feeders by the frozen pond. I count at least 4 of each bird. They sheepishly dart from the Elder to the left and back again.
As I step into the hide to watch them, I’m greeted by a panicked Robin who had someone got stuck inside. After a bit a bit of confusion the bird eventually found its way out through the door. It was unusual to see this species looking so stressed and out of its comfort zone; as they’re usually quite happy hopping along the ground just inches from your feet.
My walk took me out west to check progress of the scrub clearance and dry stone walling in Arable Field. There wasn’t much wildlife to be seen on the way, except for a Wren crossing the frosty East-West drove. I at least enjoyed stepping into the crunchy ice sheets which remain across footprints in the mud.
With a minimum temperature of just -0.2 recorded overnight, the weather appears to be getting milder once again and the last of the ice will be soon melted across the park.
As I arrived at Arable, I spotted three Sika Deer grazing at the bottom of the field. After spotting me too, they bounded up through the field, their white bums bobbing up and down as they made their way to a hole in the scrub.
The characteristic high-pitched ‘peeee-uu’ of a Buzzard sounded from above. I looked up to see a silhouette of the bird heading eastward down through the valley towards Sunnydale.
On my return to the office, I also heard the cheery tunes of a lone Goldfinch flying overhead.