Frost had finally given much of the park a light white sprinkling and caused puddles and squishy mud to freeze. This led to my breaking the ice on the water troughs for the Hereford cattle out at Quarry Field. Many boot prints were preserved in the mud along the east to west drove.
I had to return to Long Meadow to see the passage of what I believed to be a flock of a dozen Fieldfare which appeared to bounce off tree and scrub margins. My next flock which ascended from the gully floor were a score of Redwing whilst a charm of thirty chattering Goldfinches travelled inland passing over the upper gully.
For at least a week the castle Daffodils have been in bloom, however, I was treated to seeing at eye level one five petal white flower being the first of the Cherry Plum blossom!
Upon the coastal down-land those Jackdaws that had been happily at rest upon fenceposts and grassland appeared to be told to “push off” by the vociferous Carrion Crow that arrived. Luckily, I caught sight of Gannet that head west off Anvil Point. Further study revealed at least seven such birds heading in said direction. Although, Portland was not visible St. Albans Head gave clear views of it hamlet comprised of three buildings.
The dusting of frost caused Cow pats and “slates” of Limestone to sparkle in the sun which beamed over the sea towards the gully.
At Lighthouse Bridge a few Woodpigeon were snuggled amongst the Ivy cover. Male Great Tits with their vivid breasts stood out. A Chaffinch gave a “peep peep” whilst an unseen Wren rattled. A trio of Blackbirds flew ahead of me scouring the undulating quarry landscape of the seaward slope. Magpies put in appearance in several locations.
I learnt that wrapping a scarf over nose and mouth only caused my spectacles to mist up more frequently!