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.

  When I started out on my daily active nature walk today, the temperature felt like 1°C to 4°C due to a moderate to fresh southeasterly wind. While the actual air temperature was around 5°C to 7°C, the wind made it feel significantly colder.

  There was a light rain shower when I started walking that got steadily heavier and more persistent. There wasn’t much birdlife visible when I began, but I noticed a single wood pigeon perched on a rooftop along the way.

  I met a man whom I have met before walking two large dogs. One was a Golden Retriever, and the other was a lovely, friendly chocolate-coloured Labrador. This delightful dog bounded towards me with its tail wagging furiously. I gave him a few friendly pats and strokes and began chatting to the owner; much to the chagrin of the dog, who immediately began nuzzling my hand for more attention.

  Several gulls were spread out over the recreation ground, feeding on the grass. The rainfall got a lot heavier and, because of the strong winds, I hadn’t brought an umbrella. I then headed for home to dry off in the warm.

  Today I walked for 0.94 miles in 19 minutes. Google Fit awarded me 11 heart points.

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

Daily Nature Log

Date: 26 January 2026

Weather & Conditions

In the late afternoon, the temperature hovered between 4°C and 7°C, though a persistent southeasterly wind of roughly 11-13 mph made it feel much colder. With the wind chill, the ‘feels like’ temperature dropped to between 0°C and 3°C.

Observations

Birds: As I began my daily nature walk, I noticed a pair of gulls soaring together high above. Near the pine trees in Foxy Lane, a magpie flew rapidly into the cover of the branches.

Recreation Ground: Approximately 30 gulls were spread across the grass, busy feeding.

The Cemetery: Upon my entry, about eight wood pigeons took flight, dispersing in different directions. I also spotted a pair of crows; they were perched in adjacent trees—one in an oak and the other in a rowan.

Leisure Centre & Surroundings: Along the road by the leisure centre, I observed eight hedge sparrows (dunnocks) flitting about a hawthorn hedge next to the care home.

Social Notes

I crossed paths with a friendly dog owner whom I have met many times; he was accompanied by his lively little white pug.

Activity Summary

Distance: 2.25 miles

Duration: 49 minutes

Heart Points: 27 (Google

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

Date: 25 January 2026

Time: 09:00

Duration: 39 minutes

Distance: 1.88 miles

Weather: 5°C – 6°C (Feels like 0°C to -3°C), moderate/fresh easterly wind.

​Wildlife Sightings:

• ​Birds: Gulls (2), Wood pigeons (multiple), Feral pigeons (8+), Crow (2), Blackbirds (3m, 1f), Green Woodpecker (Sighting of the Day), Dunnock.
• ​Trees/Plants: Holm oak, Pine tree.
• ​Domestic Animals: Schnauzer, Briard (7-month-old French sheepdog), Spaniel-type dog.

​Notes:

Completed the walk in the opposite direction to avoid the football match on the recreation ground. Highlight was the green woodpecker’s distinctive swooping flight across the cemetery.

​Fitness Stats:

• Heart Points: 26

Daily Nature Log
Date: 24 January 2026
Location: Cemetery, Cows Lane, and surrounding areas.

🌡️ Weather & Conditions
Temperature: 6°C to 7°C (felt like 2°C to 3°C)
Wind: Strong southeasterly (15–18 mph)
Conditions: Breezy, moderate winds with light cloud.

🦅 Wildlife Sightings
Magpie: One perched at the top of a tree near the cemetery.
Corvids (Rooks): A pair sailing on wind currents; later, a full parliament flying above the rookery.
Crows: One feeding on the recreation ground; another joined it after a brief stint in the hedgerow.
Wood Pigeons: Several flushed from the cemetery pathways.
Dunnocks: One in the cemetery hedge and a group of six in the brambles by the leisure centre.
Partridges: A group of six identified by their unique, quick-fluttering flight-method.
Gulls: Approximately twenty heading towards the coast.
Robin: One spotted on the cemetery road, seeking cover in a shrub.
Feral Pigeons: Roughly twenty circling the abandoned factory rooftop.

📝 Field Notes
  Today I had a lovely chat with a lady at Cows Lane. I finally learned that her dog is a Jack Russell, not a Bull Terrier as I had previously thought based on its head shape! I also managed to capture a couple of beautiful photographs of the sunset over the farmer’s field adjoining the cemetery.

🚶‍♂️ Activity & Stats
Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 42 minutes
Heart Points: 25 (Google Fit)

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

Daily Nature Log
Date: 23 January 2026
Route: Foxy Lane, Recreation Ground, Cemetery Road, and Main Road.

🌤️ Weather & Conditions
Temperature: 7°C (Mild)
Wind: Fresh breeze from the SE (17–20 mph / 27–32 km/h)
Conditions: Light rain with a “feels like” chill of 3–4°C.

🌿 Flora & Fauna Observations
Birds: * Crow: One disturbed at Foxy Lane; flew off with a rasping, grating croak.
Wood Pigeons: One spotted flying away from the cemetery; another perched in a leafless rowan tree. Later, a pair disturbed near pine trees.
Green Woodpecker: Sighting of the Day! Low, swooping flight with distinctive green plumage.
Dunnock: Hopping under a hawthorn hedge near the main road.
Plants: A single daffodil along the roadside verge, almost in full flower.

📝 Field Notes
Light rain was forecast, so I set out with an umbrella. The walk became quite unpleasant as the rain and sharp breeze picked up near the cemetery. The highlight was definitely the green woodpecker; its flash of colour was unmistakable even in the overcast conditions. Had to raise the umbrella for the final stretch toward the leisure centre as the rain turned heavier.

🏃 Activity Metrics
Distance: 1.87 miles
Duration: 40 minutes
Intensity: 25 Google Fit Heart Points.

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

Daily Nature Log
Date: 22 January 2026
Distance: 2.29 miles | Time: 48 minutes | Heart Points: 26

  There was a cutting wind when I started my daily walk today. The temperature felt like around 1–4°C (34–39°F) with a sharp breeze, despite the actual air temperature being around 5–7°C; this was due to wind speeds of about 13–15 mph (22–24 km/h) from the south-easterly direction, bringing a chill factor.
  When I arrived at the recreation ground, I saw about 20 gulls spread out all over the field feeding on the grass. They were probably feeding on the worms and other creatures that come to the surface after rainfall. A few drops of rain began to fall, and it began to feel quite unpleasant in the windy conditions.

  I decided not to bother walking around the cemetery today and began to walk along the cemetery road towards the golf course. I could hear the friendly Pitbull barking in his garden as I walked by.

  I noticed a pair of large Herring Gulls flying over the hill on the golf course, drifting and coasting along in the wind with their large wings outstretched.

  When I arrived at the leisure centre, I met a young woman with a brown-coloured Cockapoo-type dog on a lead. The dog, barking excitedly, jumped up onto my legs in a friendly manner; the young woman grinned and apologised.

  I noticed another six gulls feeding on the grass in the town football club ground as I passed the five-a-side football pitch. I also passed a healthy-looking Camellia shrub covered in strong buds, ready to burst into flower when the conditions allow. This is probably another virtue of the recent incessant rainfall, as Camellias are acid-loving plants.
Today I walked for 2.29 miles in 48 minutes.
Google Fit awarded me 26 heart points.

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

Daily Nature Log
Date: 21 January 2026
Route/Location: Cows Lane, Recreation Field, and the Cemetery

🌿 Wildlife & Flora Observations
Birds: Wood pigeons (perched on Cowslip Lane and near the allotment site); a group of six partridges near the allotment gates (my “sight of the day”).
Plants: Large, green, leafy Alexander shoots (invasive) on the recreation field banks and behind the five-a-side pitch.
Domestic Animals: A brown Labrador and a friend’s white pug.

🌤 Weather Conditions
General: Heavy rain for most of the day with a break in the early afternoon.
Temperature: 6–7°C (felt like 3–4°C due to wind chill).
Wind: 13–19 mph with strong, sharp gusts.

📝 Field Notes
I entered the cemetery and began walking along the main pathway; a couple of wood pigeons suddenly flew up rapidly from the ground towards the trees alongside the allotment site. I noticed a couple walking a brown Labrador at the top of the cemetery that started barking loudly as I drew near. The lady owner grinned and shouted, ‘Don’t worry, he’s just being friendly.’ I couldn’t help thinking that was a loud, aggressive way to show canine friendship.
The highlight was seeing the partridges. They were spread out just inside the allotment gateway with their long necks stretched out before they spotted me and took flight.

🏃 Activity Stats
Distance: 1.65 miles
Duration: 34 minutes
Heart Points: 28

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

Daily Nature Log

Daily Nature Log
Date: 20 January 2026
Route: Foxy Lane, Recreation Ground, and Cemetery

🌤️ Conditions
Temperature: 7°C to 8°C
Wind Chill: Approximately 4°C
Weather Notes: A strong, cold breeze was blowing which pierced my coat and gloves.

📝 Observations & Narrative
  I started my daily nature walk slightly later today. I met a young man walking two small dogs on leads and stopped to ask him what breeds they were. One of the dogs started barking furiously; it turned out to be a Jack Russell, and the other was a black Pug, which promptly joined in with the canine chorus.
  I continued along my way and turned into Foxy Lane, where I passed a family walking a spaniel. I thought perhaps today was going to be a ‘canine day’ due to the later time of my walk. In the recreation ground, I spotted a pair of magpies flying towards the pine trees, and a wood pigeon flew over the adjacent fence into the cemetery.
  When I arrived at the cemetery road entrance, my ‘friend,’ the pit bull terrier, began barking loudly from his normal position on the trampoline in his garden. This disturbed me somewhat, as I thought we had moved past this aggressive behaviour in our ongoing, distant relationship.
  Inside the cemetery, I disturbed three wood pigeons who instantly took off in various directions. I couldn’t resist taking another couple of photographs of the early snowdrops growing near the gates. On the way back, I passed another couple walking a poodle-type dog.

📸 Sightings
Birds: Magpies (pair), Wood pigeons (4)
Flora: Early snowdrops
Dogs: Jack Russell, Black Pug, Spaniel, Pit bull terrier, Poodle-type.

🏃 Activity Stats
Distance: 1.68 miles
Duration: 35 minutes
Google Fit: 21 Heart Points.

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