The National Nature Reserve was covered in a thick layer of frost this morning, a glorious white carpet which crunched underfoot as we walked across the frozen back meadows – just magnificent.
Most of the birds were sensibly hidden deep in the bushes, but the calling of a Wren brought this little bird to my attention, the tail erect as it blasted its call into the frosty air. The ‘teacher-teacher’ call of a Great Tit as it proclaimed a bit of territory was the other main bird song of the morning.
Across the fields the frost giving a different texture, with each individual blade of Grass covered in a thick layer white. The cackling of a Magpie from the middle of a Hawthorn, the large white body showing amongst the thin branches and the thin black tail flapping below.
A Jay flew across in front of me, the pale pink body and white rump identifiable, these birds always seem to fly in a very gentle manner their wide wings softly beating through the air.
A second white rump then caught the eye, but this a Bullfinch, was smaller and as it landed it emitted a ‘squeak’.
Crunching across the downs and up the Napoleonic steps to the Signal Station the sun was shining making the scene so beautiful. As I gazed out at the sea in front a single Diver was making its way eastwards at some distance, while Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls were soaring closer in to the cliffs.
The front of the downs were almost clear of frost in stark contrast to the more northerly fields, here a Meadow Pipit emerged from a small clump of Tor Grass, and Jackdaws hopped about, mostly in close pairs.
By the lighthouse road bridge a Blue Tit was churring loudly, a slight ‘crest’ like look to its head. As I went through the gate, the sound of ‘cooing’ came from the Wild Pear tree nearby, here a large fluffed up Wood Pigeon was perched, while another was on the Sycamore opposite, these two birds seeming to have conversation.
The Hereford Cattle were munching on the grass, there ginger coats reflecting the sunlight, which was also highlighting the wispiness of their fur.
In the woods the bright orange berries of Stinking Iris are alongside the thick fronds of Harts-tongue Fern and of South Shield Fern.