When I began my daily wild nature walk, the actual air temperature was around 6°C to 7°C, but due to a brisk southeast wind of 12–13 mph, it felt significantly colder—closer to 1°C to 3°C (approx. 34–38°F).
  I met my long-time friend and neighbour, Jonathan, walking Jack, his Border Collie. I was happy to see him, as I haven’t seen them on my daily walks for quite a while. I was beginning to worry about the dog’s health, as Jack is getting on a bit now in dog years.
  When I began walking around the outskirts of the recreation ground, 18 gulls were spread out feeding on the grass.
   I turned into the cemetery road, where I noticed that the daffodil flowers were still mostly in bud, although the number of healthy, strong buds ready to burst out into full flower seems to have increased. The snowdrops beyond the gates of the entrance to the cemetery are absolutely beautiful, announcing the imminent arrival of spring with a splash of white floral magnificence.
  About eight wood pigeons were feeding on the fairly long grass growing alongside the pathways. I noticed a small flock of unusual birds settled on two trees; I took a few photographs of them, and Google Lens later identified them as fieldfares.

The rooks were suddenly disturbed or spooked, and a large number noisily flew up in a black cloud, swirling around in the sky.

A male pheasant suddenly appeared and began to run along the ground towards a nearby hedgerow. I took a nice photograph of him before he disappeared.

A line of rooks settled on a telephone wire running alongside the farmer’s field. More rooks settled on a tree growing near the rookery, and I quickly took a couple of nice photographs.

  The fieldfares were still perched on the trees when I walked back towards the cemetery entrance. I photographed a male blackbird feeding on a crab apple tree growing beneath the two trees where the fieldfares were perched.

I left the cemetery and saw a blackbird, a wood pigeon, and a robin feeding under the holm oak trees along the roadside. They all scattered in different directions when I walked past.
  I made my way along the leisure centre road, where five hedge sparrows were flying around and perched on the top of the hawthorn hedge adjoining the care home. A lady with two children and a light brown Cavapoo were near the playground in Foxy Lane. Another lady with a Jack Russell was chatting to a man at an open window, and they both greeted me as I continued along my way.
Today I walked for 2.29 miles in 48 minutes. Google Fit awarded me 24 heart points.

Copyright ©️ Text, photographs and videos Written by John Yeo – All rights reserved.