My first diary after Christmas and my last of 2024! I use my new Binoculars given to me over Christmas for the Daily Diary today! I walk through the meadows on another overcast day, yet mild for the time of year, certainly no Snow! Unfortunate for those that love it! As I walk, I instantly hear many Robins, Carrion Crows, as well as a Magpie, as one walks on a Pheasant runs about in front of a leafless Field Maple tree.
In South and Saxon fields Blackbirds and more Crows were seen feeding at the ground, and a Raven spotted on top of possibly a Hawthorn bush, a Wood Pigeon was also seen chilling in amongst some scrub to the left of me as well as a Wren and a Blue Tit.
In the next field, many a Human could be heard talking loudly scaring away any chance of hearing anything unique in these fields, however I did hear a Goldfinch, and a Jackdaw in the distance, as well as “2 for joy” Magpies. Amongst the shrubs Ivy and Stinking Iris is spotted.
I get to the path close to Fields 1 and 2, extraordinarily muddy may I add! One checks on the Herefords, all in field 2, all seeming satisfied and happy grazing away or drinking in the trof which is certainly providing plenty of water. I then leave the field to the left another Pheasant (male) and a Crow were spotted.
In the next fields many an Ant hill is spotted, patch scrub of Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Gorse, and Bracken can be seen. The European Gorse yellow flowers which can bloom any time of the year brighten up the dull winter weather with a different colour, a Magpie is spotted on top of Dry-Stone Wall as well as a female Blackbird going from Gorse to Gorse.
Turning right over a small bridge and gate, one passes a tree smothered in Ivy and Stinking Iris on the ground. Walking past this and up the hill the view of the English Channel and the lighthouse is spectacular. I wait there for some time, spotted is 4x Mute Swans flying west, a juvenile Greater Black-Backed Gull, and 5x Crows flying away from the lighthouse.
I enter Lighthouse field area, this smothered in Old Mans Beard, and Bullfinches are seen in the air. I get down to the dry-stone wall bridge where many a bird can be heard singing away, as well as a Roe Buck chilling at the bottom who is in velvet growing new antlers. Seen also was Blue Tits, Robins, Bullfinches, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Great Tit, a Song Thrush's unique changing sounds could be heard in the near distance, and Linnets seen above me. Past the bridge a Feral Pigeons and a Shag could be seen close to the cliffs.
Hope all enjoying the Christmas Period and Happy New Year!