A fantastic early patrol in the snow, a thin layer covering most of the Country Park producing a lovely white and crunchy sight, feel and sound.
The wildlife was mostly hiding away but evidence of their presence showing up via a mass of intricate footprints. The majority being those of Rabbits, the four prints in a characteristic diamond shape. It is good to see the population is still doing well as they are a very important part of the grazing management of the downland and grassland, keeping the grass short allowing the wildflowers to emerge.
Tracks of Roe Deer added to the mass showing the routes they use including one of their favourite areas where they bound over the dry-stone wall.
From the middle of the thick Blackthorn scrub came the chirping of a Robin, who then hopped to the end of the twigs to show him/herself off.
Above me, the sound call of a Raven was uttered, I looked up to see this large black bird floating across the sky, above it for the second time this week a Kestrel was harassing it, such a marked difference in size.
Out by the frozen dewpond a small group of Goldfinches tinkled as they moved between the Gorse and the Hawthorn.
As I crunched down the downland, wishing I had a tin tray or skis, a Chaffinch was making vague attempts to sing, and the footprints of a Fox trecked across the snow.
A quick check of Tilly Whim Caves, the Adders not surprisingly tucked away, their backing area covered in snow! However a Wren was busy hopping around the cracks, this bird almost round as it fluffed up against the cold.
At sea nothing much to see except the resident Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls while the Greater Periwinkle by the Globe was poking up above the slight snow cover.