Thick fog shrouded the Country Park this morning as I took my earlyish patrol, the cloud dripping water constantly making for a wet walk as well as dull but warm!
The emergence of a Song Thrush from the Blackthorn scrub an early piece of action, once it settled on the ground I was able to observe the spotted breast. Its close relatives of Blackbirds also moving form bush to bush while taking flight from the Field Maple in the hedgerow was a Fieldfare, this very smart looking bird erupted with a cackle which ensured I looked at it.
Off out to the downland to inspect the recent brushcutting work, some of the small Gorse and Brambles have been removed but there is still more to do to ensure we retain the flower-rich short turf, for which the site is Nationally and Internationally designated.
Emerging from the tufts of Tor Grass was a Snipe, the sound from its call and of its wings as it took off, very noisy in the dull silence, as it flew the swept back wings, almost triangular back and beak could be seen. This wader is an occasional winter visitor to the area.
Despite it being December there are still a few flowers to spotted across the Park including some Lesser Knapweed, producing a pale purple splodge low to the ground, while in the wet dew pond the flowers with white with yellow centre are Scentless Mayweed. Which despite its name is an autumn species not a spring one!
As I crossed over a couple of stiles my favourite Snail was also on the stones, this the flattened, brown coloured Lapidary Snail has a distinct ridge around it - the wet weather is bringing them out.
A Bullfinch squeaked overhead as it moved into the Hawthorn while a Wren whirred by, the dumpy brown body disappearing into the Brambles. A Green Woodpecker called as it took off from the grass.