Daily Nature Walk: 8 February 2026

  I. Environmental Context

Conditions: The temperature was approximately 7°C to 9°C, with a gentle south-southeast breeze of roughly 8–10 mph.

Atmosphere: Despite the mild reading, the wind chill made it feel closer to 5°C or 6°C. It was a crisp start as I set out for my daily active nature walk.

  II. The Human Element

Encounters: I followed a neighbour and his small white Pug along the road. Later, I met June, the former maître d’ at the Dormy Hotel, and an aged gardener working on his garden. Near the playground, I passed a young lady with a Pekingese-type dog.

Dialogue: Upon meeting a lady with an aggressive Jack Russell, I joked, ‘He doesn’t like me, does he?’ She informed me, ‘He doesn’t like men who wear hats!‘

 Reflections: My interaction with the gardener inspired me to transplant two of my potted hydrangeas into a space left vacant by a shrub that succumbed to the winter frost. My attempts at chivalry with the dog—doffing my cap and bowing—sadly failed to silence its barking.

  III. Avian & Wildlife Observations

Species Noted: Wood Pigeons, Gulls (30+), Rooks (20+), Redwings, a Blue Tit, a male Blackbird, and six Dunnocks.

Behaviours: I disturbed a Wood Pigeon feasting on holly berries that have remarkably survived since Christmas. In the cemetery, Redwings were faithfully perched on yesterday’s roosting trees, while Rooks were active around their rookery. A Blackbird gave a sharp alarm cry as it took flight, and the Dunnocks remained settled on a hawthorn hedge.

  Flora Notes: Noted the persistence of bright red berries on the holly shrub and planned the relocation of my hydrangeas to fill a gap in the garden.

Today I walked for 1.78 miles in 38 minutes.

Google Fit awarded me 23 heart points.

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

Fieldfares

The Daily Nature Log

  The air carried the faint scent of impending rain as I began my daily nature walk. With the thermometer at 7°C but the wind chill making it feel more like 4°C, I diverted my path away from the sodden playing fields. My new route took me past the leisure centre, where six wood pigeons were stoically perched along the roofline.

  As I moved into Cemetery Road, the first signs of spring were evident in the daffodils emerging along the verges. Upon entering the cemetery, my attention was immediately drawn to a pair of trees play-hosting at least twenty fieldfares. I attempted to capture the scene, but the flock took wing almost instantly, settling in a nearby stand of trees. The hedgerow bordering the recreation ground proved equally lively; it was a hive of movement, home to dunnocks, finches, and restless blue tits. A male blackbird darted through the thicket, while a magpie remained tucked away, a flash of monochrome deep within a bushy shrub.

  The rain began in earnest as I reached Cows Lane. Beneath my umbrella, I passed a couple walking a black Labrador and paused to admire a cluster of yellow aconites. The raindrops beaded beautifully on their petals, lending them a fresh, glistening quality.

  I finished my 2.11-mile circuit in 44 minutes, securing 27 heart points on Google Fit.

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

The Colourful Interloper

  The garden equilibrium was quite unexpectedly shifted today. It began with the arrival of a green woodpecker, whose lime-green mantle and crimson crown provided a startling splash of colour against the winter grass. It settled with purpose, probing the turf for a midday meal.
  However, this guest was far from welcome in the eyes of the establishment. The local blackbird, usually the master of the lawn, watched on with clear chagrin, flitting between the shrubs in a state of high indignation. Even our resident wood pigeon, typically the picture of lethargy, seemed affronted by the newcomer’s boldness. It was a classic piece of garden drama—nature’s beauty met with a very cold reception from the neighbours.

Daily Nature Log
Date: 6 February 2026
Location: Garden (Observed from window)
Conditions: Persistent heavy rain / Overcast

Species Observed Behaviour & Notes

Blue Tits–Active at sunflower seed feeders; “snatch and retreat” tactics to nearby shrubs.
Robin–Highly active on the border; recorded bathing in the bird-bath despite the heavy rain.
Dunnocks–Ground-feeding; plumage provided excellent camouflage against the wet soil.
Blackbirds–Male observed using fat-ball feeders (atypical); female foraging traditionally on the border.
Jackdaws (3)–Dominant behaviour at feeders; using heavy beaks to dislodge suet.
Wood Pigeons (2)–Opportunistic feeding on the ground, clearing debris dropped by jackdaws.
Green Woodpecker–Sighting of the Day. Foraged on the lawn; photographed.

General Observations: The rain did not deter avian activity. Significant adaptability noted in the male blackbird’s feeding habits.

 

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

Daily Nature Log

Date: 5 February 2026

Atmospheric Conditions

  I began my cold, daily, wild nature walk, and it was freezing. 🥶 ❄️ The temperature was around 4°C–5°C, but the “feels like” temperature sat between -2°C and 1°C due to the 21–24 mph winds. Conditions remained mostly cloudy with a strong, persistent breeze.

Observations & Wildlife

  Foxy Lane: Passed a young lady with a black Pug. On the horizon, a flock of approximately 10 feral pigeons was battling the windy sky.

  The Recreation Ground: Spotted a , larger flock of 20 feral pigeons over the factory rooftop colony. Along the outskirts, I noticed a line of fresh molehills beneath the hedge. I found myself thinking how warm those furry little moles must be, tucked away in their underground tunnels, shielded from the biting wind.

  Cemetery Road: The wind created a dramatic sensory experience here. The line of pine trees produced a high-pitched, whistling roar through their thin needles. In contrast, the holm oaks—with their dense, leathery, glossy leaves—added a deeper, thunderous rustle to the chaotic swaying of the branches.

  The Cemetery: Upon my arrival, a male blackbird and a wood pigeon sought cover in the nearby hedges. Above the rookery, twenty rooks rose noisily into the air, calling out to one another.

  Social: Observed a person playing with a black Labrador and a spaniel on the grassy area of Foxy Lane; both dogs were enjoying some time off their leads.

Activity Metrics

Distance: 2.24 miles

Duration: 47 minutes

Google Fit: 29 Heart Points

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

 I started my daily walk at 09:30, a lot earlier than usual as there were showers forecast for most of the day.

The temperature was around 3°C to 5°C, but strong easterly winds of up to 24 mph (39 km/h) made it feel much colder, with temperatures dropping below freezing to approximately -3°C at times.

  I noticed two wood pigeons feeding on the grassy area in Foxy Lane. A little further along the way, a single crow was pecking around on the ground beneath the pine trees. Approximately 30 gulls were feeding on the grass in the recreation ground, and a dunnock flew into the hedgerow adjoining the cemetery.

  The wind picked up and blew with stronger gusts when I entered the cemetery. A carpet of broken twigs had been blown down and covered the roadside verges. As I walked around the cemetery pathways, the strong winds were buffeting the leafless trees and the cold was piercing through my woollen gloves.

  I left the cemetery and began walking along the cemetery road. A male blackbird hopped underneath the hedge adjacent to the allotment site. The wind was tearing into the leaves on the holm oak trees, creating a noisy, wild winter sound.

  A large herring gull was drifting high in the sky on the wind currents over the golf course hill.

  When I reached home at the end of my walk, I enjoyed the heat from a large mug of tea penetrating into my cold hands.

Today I walked for 1.49 miles in 30 minutes.

Google Fit awarded me 24 heart points.

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

  We suffered heavy rain here for most of the afternoon and I was unable to complete my daily active wild walk today.
  However I managed to work in the garden for a while and I took an interesting video during the heavy rain which followed my work.
   A robin was bathing in our bird bath during some heavy rain.

  What is the avian logic behind a robin taking a bath in a birdbath during a downpour? 🌧️🐦
  I put that question to Google, and the reply was fascinating. It turns out that a robin bathing during heavy rain isn’t just being eccentric; it’s a masterclass in hygiene, feather maintenance, and opportunistic efficiency.

  The “Rain Bath” Logic:
Optimal Feather Maintenance: Clean feathers are essential for flight, insulation, and waterproofing. A bath removes excess oil, parasites, and dirt that can cause matting.

  The “Clean Water” Advantage: While rain falls, a birdbath provides a consistent, contained, and relatively clean “splash zone” compared to the muddy puddles forming nearby.

  Water Pressure & Volume: The rain provides a gentle flow of fresh water, while the shallow depth of the bath (1–3 inches) allows the bird to wash without becoming waterlogged.

  The Rinse Cycle: Active bathing saturates the feathers to loosen grime, while the falling rain acts as a natural rinse cycle to wash it all away.

  Parasite Control: The combination of rainwater and vigorous splashing helps dislodge mites and other parasites.

  Pure Enjoyment: Beyond the health benefits, many birds simply find the water refreshing!
In essence, the robin is treating the birdbath as a “clean spa” in the middle of a natural shower. 🛁

  Food for thought: If AI can follow a robin’s thought processes so intimately, are we underestimating avian intelligence—or is AI overestimating it? 🤔

Daily Nature Log
Date: 1 February 2026
Weather: Heavy rain and overcast 🌧️

Observations
Species: European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

Activity: Observed a robin vigorously bathing in the garden birdbath despite a steady downpour.

Behavioural Notes: The bird seemed to be using the falling rain as a “rinse cycle.” It remained in the shallow water for several minutes, seemingly unfazed by the wet conditions, focusing on feather saturation and preening.

Reflections & Insights
The AI Perspective: Researching this behaviour via Google Search revealed that birds prefer birdbaths over muddy puddles during rain because the water remains cleaner. It’s a brilliant bit of “opportunistic efficiency.”

Thought of the Day: Is this a display of high avian intelligence, or are we simply using AI to project human-like logic onto natural instincts? Either way, the “spa” analogy fits perfectly.

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

  The temperature was around 6°C to 9°C, but due to some fresh-to-moderate southeasterly winds of up to 19–21 mph, it felt significantly colder. The ‘felt-like’ temperatures were in the range of 2°C to 3°C.

   I started out a bit later than normal today. The temperature felt a lot warmer than it has been during my earlier walks this week. When I arrived at the recreation ground, about 30 gulls were spread out feeding on the grass. I noticed a single Blue Tit flying along the hedgerow adjacent to Foxy Lane.

   When I entered the cemetery gates, I saw about 50 Rooks—a whole parliament—flying in the sky above the rookery and perched on the treetops. They were making so much noise, calling to each other in their rough, guttural voices; it is easy to understand why they are called a “parliament” of Rooks.

   I noticed a lady walking a black Greyhound around the cemetery pathways. Obviously, there wasn’t enough room for the dog to revert to its probable racing behaviour, assuming it was a rescue dog retired from the sport. Six Wood Pigeons flew up and off in different directions as I continued towards the cemetery exit and began walking along the cemetery road towards the main road.

   A Magpie was perched at the top of a tree, making typical magpie chattering calls. Nearby, a Herring Gull was lazily gliding above the golf course hill, taking advantage of the moderate southeasterly winds.

   When I passed the cricket club pavilion, I saw a large flock of at least 150 Jackdaws flying in several large groups, with some stragglers in smaller clusters, all heading in the same direction. I saw this behaviour the other day and concluded it was the usual gathering of these birds on the way to their nightly roost.

  Six Dunnocks were perched close to each other at the top of a hawthorn hedge adjacent to the care home as I made my way towards the end of my walk.

   A small brown dog barked loudly at me when I passed by Foxy Lane. The owner apologised, and I continued on my way. Later, I tried to identify this dog via a Google search; the nearest match I could find was a small, brown, long-legged Dachshund..

Today I walked for 1.7 miles in 36 minutes.

Google Fit awarded me 20 heart points.

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

A Coastal Stroll: January 30th, 2026
The day began with a crisp, biting chill, a ‘feels like’ temperature colder than the thermometer suggested, thanks to a fresh southeast breeze and a persistent drizzle. Not perfect weather, perhaps, for a wild nature walk. Margaret dropped me off at the gates to the golf club.

Part 1: The Golf Course
A group of about ten assorted birds, mostly pigeons, were gathered on a familiar ‘bird-friendly’ rooftop, waiting for a feed.
Meanwhile, on the golf course grass, a pair of herring gulls and several jackdaws were engaged in their own breakfast hunt. ‘Early bird gets the worm,’ I thought.
The drizzle, however, decided to pick up, adding a misty blur to my spectacles and the surrounding landscape.

Part 2: Encounters on the Green
The path ahead revealed a couple walking a very energetic Staffordshire Bull Terrier. He was a bundle of muscle and enthusiasm, belying his senior status.
‘He may act lively, but he’s thirteen years old,’ the lady remarked. I suppose we could all take a leaf out of his book—age is just a number when there are so many interesting things in life.

Part 3: The Bleak Seaside Prospect
Reaching the coastal entrance, the full force of the wind hit. The sky was a heavy, unrelenting grey, and the tide had retreated far out, leaving a vast, damp expanse of sand and rock. A wide-open stretch of beach where gulls were busy, ‘harvesting’ the sea’s leftovers. It was beautiful in its bleakness, but a ‘gloves-on’ kind of moment. My hands were frozen within minutes of taking my mobile phone camera out.

Part 4: Sentinels of the Cliff
Along the clifftop path, nature provided some striking scenes.
A magpie was perched at the very summit of a tree clinging to the cliffside.
The jagged, perilous cliffs were looming. A sharp reminder of the power of the North Sea below.

Part 5: Avian behaviour on the Promenade
The promenade was almost deserted, save for two herring gulls and two jackdaws lined up on a wall. Perhaps they were waiting for some passers-by eating chips.

Part 6: Splashes of Winter Colour
The walk concluded with some surprising vibrant colours against the grey winter sky.
Thick, splendid Gorse bushes were in full yellow flower, with a pair of herring gulls on the green behind them.: A lovely ‘splash of blue’ near the perimeter fence revealed a Greater Periwinkle in full flower.

Summary of my walk.
Distance: I walked 1.88 miles of wind-swept Norfolk.
My spectacles were slightly obscured, my hands were frozen, but l was
19 Google Heart Points richer!

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

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.