The snow is still lying on the ground, a wonderful crispy crunchy top above the soft fluffy snowflakes. The wind whipping the snow into large peaks along the hedges.
The cold weather has brought a flock of Fieldfare to the Park, these large thrushes landing in a group on the snow covered field, about 20 of them, some looking more pale in colour than usual.
Flying amongst the Hereford Cattle was a flock of Meadow Pipits, the sound of them cheeping caught the ear on this most silent of mornings. As I watched these small birds flitting amongst the hooves of the cattle it was a good chance to spot their most characteristic of features – white feathers at the edge of their wings, pale pink legs and delicately marked bodies.
Along the coast, very little wildlife to see, but overhead a group of Black-headed Gulls moving eastwards, sudden erratic movements as they were caught by the strong gusts of wind.
A Peregrine Falcon floated at cliff-top line, its bulky shape easily identified as it went by, slate grey top almost disappearing against the grey coloured sea.
Across the meadows, snow is piled 3 inches thick on the twigs of the Blackthorn hedges and on the bent stems of the Grasses, just as amazing landscape.
Overhead a large white and black bird flew, a duck-like head, dark-wing tips and very pale - as of yet I haven’t identified single bird.
Footprints across the snow include those of Rabbits galore, plus a few of Jackdaw and Carrion Crow.
Spotted moving slowly through a small snow drift was a Fox, this ginger coloured animal fairly easy to see against the white backdrop, but it did have a covering of snow to help in it disguise.
On my way back to the Centre I crunched through snow drift up to my knees, what a great way to start the day.
Later this morning our apprentices spotted a group of 4 Golden Plover passing over the Lighthouse Field.