The low fog hiding the view, ensuring concentration on things close at hand. Scattered amongst the thick golden coloured Tor Grass in the meadows were the occasional yellow flower heads of Bristly Ox-tongue and a single purple flower of Greater Knapweed.
Calling from beside me was a Goldcrest, the high-pitched sound filling the air while actually seeing this tiniest of birds took much longer, eventually the flitting caught my eye and it then perched for long enough to see the gold stripe on its head.
Erupting from the middle of the Blackthorn scrub was a Blackbird, the dark feathers hidden in the thicket of branches, its yellow beak giving away its position.
Suddenly, taking off from the midst of the long grass was a Pheasant, a loud squawking and clapping as the hen flew.
The dampness has encouraged a few snails to emerge, with the dark brown and delicately marked Lapidary Snail - Helicigona lapicida sliding across the stone stile, the flattened shell with distinct ridge making it one of the easiest to identify.
From behind me the yaffle of Green Woodpecker was heard, this large yellow rumped bird then flew passed landing on the upright trunk of a Sycamore.
In the grey gloom of the early morning a few bright spots shone out including the large red ovals of Rose Hips dangling down from raindrop laden spiny branches of the Dog Rose.
The bright pink chest of a male Bullfinch protruding out from the clambering branches of the Old Man’s Beard fronds while the duller female perched nearby.
Dashing along the edge of the hedge was a Sparrowhawk, hugging the line as it skimmed over the top, always a great sight.