The Daily Nature Log
   The easterly wind had a proper bite to it this morning, turning a modest 9°C into a brisk 43°F the moment I stepped outside. Despite the high humidity, the sun stayed out as I skirted the recreation ground, watching wood pigeons retreat to the high pines by the cemetery. Along the road, the delicate pink of dove’s-foot crane’s-bill provided a sharp contrast to the weeds.

  Inside the cemetery, the atmosphere was uncharacteristically serene; the rookery was mostly silent, save for the odd, guttural croak from above. The resident partridges were busy amongst the headstones, but the show-stealer was a male pheasant near the farmer’s field. He was remarkably bold, opting to strike a pose for the camera rather than taking flight.

On the way to the leisure centre, the bushes were alive with the frantic, loud twittering of a hidden wren or robin, while a feral pigeon on the roof put on a puffed-up display of courtship.

Nature’s variety was on full display near the care home, too, with wild radish sporting two different colours—a clever bit of botanical mimicry confirmed by a quick digital check.

Stats
Distance: 2.42 miles
Duration: 52 minutes
Conditions: 9°C (43°F feels like), 14–15 mph Easterly wind, Sunny, >80% Humidity
Google Heart Points: 24
Key Sightings: Wood pigeons, Rooks, Partridges, Male Pheasant, Feral Pigeons, Sparrows.
Flora: Dove’s-foot crane’s-bill, Wild Radish (White and Yellow), Hawthorn, Bramble.

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