I set off on my daily active nature walk under sunny skies. The temperature sat between 12°C and 13°C, though the south-south-westerly breeze made it feel a degree or two cooler. Near the start, I was warmly greeted by a neighbour with her Maremma sheepdog, accompanied by a younger lady walking a spaniel.
As I walked the outskirts of the recreation ground, the hedgerow by the cemetery was alive with the movement of small birds.

A Pitbull stood in the corner of its garden, regarding me balefully as I passed. Inside the cemetery, wood pigeons were busy feeding on the grass or lounging on ledges, while a pair of blackbirds darted for cover at my approach.

I paused to photograph a rook and a magpie having a vocal disagreement in the trees, and later captured a group of six rooks on a leafless tree near the rookery, where the air was thick with their deep, rhythmic cawing.

At the top of the cemetery, I managed a few long-range shots of a male pheasant bolting across the field.

I also documented the first signs of spring blossom near the allotments.

Returning via the main road, I spotted feral pigeons on the leisure centre roof and sparrows in the care home’s hawthorn hedge. Near Foxglove Lane, I met two more ladies with a black greyhound and a yellow labrador. The highlight of the walk was the stunning spread of purple violets trailing onto the pavement from two local gardens; I’ve made a mental note to take a small cutting for my own front hedge. Finally, I shared a cheery ‘good afternoon’ with a friend and his pug before heading home.
Stats: 2.86 miles covered in 1 hour 3 minutes (26 Google Fit Heart Points).

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