The azure beauty of Gunton lake Pen swan on her nest
Daily Nature Log: 07 May 2026 The Narrative A coastal trek transitioned from the bustling activity of a nature reserve—where the birds were heard but rarely seen—to the open expanse of the seashore. The local canine population was out in full force, from Yorkies to chocolate-coloured spaniels. The highlight, however, was the final circuit of the lake; a serene display of azure reflections and the quiet dignity of a cob swan. The next generation is clearly on its way, with goslings already exploring and the pen swan diligently guarding her nest.
Egyptian geese goslings Rabbits were out in force Egyptian goose and her goslingsCob swan Mallard ducks Moorhen chicks
The Stats Distance: 2.74 miles Duration: 56 minutes Heart Points: 11 Notable Sightings: Egyptian goose with two goslings; nesting pen swan; bustling wild rabbits.
When I started out on my daily walk, the temperature was 11°C, but it felt roughly 7°C–8°C due to a brisk 19–20 mph easterly wind. The sun was shining beautifully, and it felt quite warm when I was walking away from the wind.
Two rooks were feeding on the grass on the cricket field when I began to walk around the outskirts of the recreation ground. A pair of wood pigeons flew over the hedge adjacent to the cemetery. As I began to walk along the cemetery pathways, several rooks and wood pigeons were feeding on the grassy borders.
I made my way to the farmer’s field at the top end. Around 20 rooks flew up en masse and headed off in different directions over the nearby fields. I spotted a small white butterfly fluttering around the nettles and weeds underneath a nearby hedge; I tried to get a photograph, but to no avail.
I photographed a robin redbreast perched on a wire fence.
Then, to my surprise and delight, I noticed an impressive small orange-tip butterfly looking for somewhere to settle. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a photograph of this tiny, short-lived insect.
I snapped a brilliant couple of photographs of a steam train puffing along on the rails alongside the main road.
Steam train
I continued along my way and passed a man walking a Cockapoo alongside the entrance to the leisure centre.
Five feral pigeons were perched on the edge of the leisure centre rooftop. A couple with a Cavachon were walking on the grassy area in Foxy Lane. Today I walked for 2.12 miles in 44 minutes, and Google Fit awarded me 25 heart points.
~~~~
The Daily Nature Log
The sun was out in full force, but that 20 mph easterly wind certainly had a bite to it! It was a tale of two temperatures: a bracing chill when facing the breeze and a lovely warmth when walking away from it. The local birdlife was out in numbers, though the real stars of the show were the butterflies—even if they proved far too nimble for a photo op. A steady trek through the lanes and fields provided a decent cardio boost and a great start to the day.
The Stats
Distance: 2.12 miles
Duration: 44 minutes
Heart Points: 25
Conditions: 11°C (felt like 7°C), 20 mph Easterly wind, Sunny.
Wildlife Spotted: Rooks, Wood Pigeons, Feral Pigeons, Small White Butterfly, Orange-tip Butterfly.
Stepping out of the car park, Margaret and I immediately joined the stream of pedestrian traffic along the busy road fronting Felbrigg Hall. The air was cool and crisp, filled with the constant drone of passing cars and a chaotic soundtrack of excited yips, jangling lead tags, and happy, snuffling pants. It seemed as though every family had brought their companion, creating a lively, shifting mosaic of hundreds of different types and breeds. We saw everything from tiny terriers straining at the leash to massive, lumbering hounds, all sniffing the grass verges with intense dedication. We followed the main road for a long distance before turning onto a pathway that led us past the main entrance of the hall and back towards the ‘Butler’s Pantry’—the National Trust café, evocatively named.
I left Margaret nestled in the welcoming warmth of the café, recovering from her initial walk with a cheese scone and a pot of tea. The air inside was heavy with the comforting aroma of hot tea and savoury cheese scones, while she settled in to read her online book on her mobile phone. With her content, I headed out to complete the rest of my planned circuit.
I started along the winding road towards the far entrance. The light was incredible, illuminating the trees which were ablaze in shades of fiery orange and deep russet. I stopped several times, kneeling to capture the sheer visual brilliance of the autumn leaves, which lay in thick, crunchy drifts underfoot. I continued along the way and several dog walkers passed by, including a couple of Labradors, a Spaniel, and a Cavapoo, to name but three.
The birdlife here was everywhere, a constant presence. Overhead, the raucous crowds of corvids dominated the air; I saw hundreds of wood pigeons and blackbirds darting between the trees and shrubs. Beneath the massive beech trees, where tons of brown and yellow leaves lay shed, the colourful fronds of ferns and bracken lined the roadside verge.
Just opposite the main hall, the shadows were beginning to lengthen as the sun dipped low. The black cows, massive and serene, continued grazing placidly in the deepening twilight, their shapes starting to merge with the darkening grass. High above the pasture, the true activity was beginning: hundreds of rooks were settling into their evening roost in the highest branches. Their collective, loud cawing was less excited now, turning into a rough, rhythmic clamour—a final, conversational argument before the quiet of the night descended upon the grounds.
Finally, I made my way back to the Butler’s Pantry to meet Margaret.
I walked for 2.34 miles in 51 minutes.Google Fit awarded me 20 heart points.
Today’s Wild Nature Walk: The Highs, The Lows, and The Louds
The “I’m with the Band” Pheasant
‘I was just minding my own business when this male Pheasant dropped in like a rockstar making a surprise festival appearance. Note the Gulls and Rooks in the background acting as his very confused roadies. 10/10 for the entrance, 2/10 for the personal space.‘
Rook-n-Roll (The Clamour)
Caught a mid-air snapshot of roughly 100 Rooks having a very loud, very public disagreement over the treetops. This isn’t just a flight; it’s a ‘Corvid Complaint Committee’ in full session. Pure, noisy, feathered power. 🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛
The Mystery VIPs (Red-legged Partridges)Red-legged Partridge and a Wood Pigeon
‘The ‘Celebrity Sneak’ shot. I managed to catch the side and rear of these two before they vanished into the hedge like they were dodging the paparazzi. Thanks to Google Lens for the identification—turns out these elusive VIPs were Red-legged Partridges! 🕵️♂️‘
Sunset Red-legged Partridge
Daily Nature Log (Template)
Date: 17 February 2026
Time: 15:30
Location:
Recreation Ground, Cemetery, and Foxy Lane
Weather:
4°C–5°C (Feels like -1°C); Brisk NW winds (20–22 mph)
Sightings:
Birds:
Gulls, Rooks (~100), Wood Pigeons, Redwings, Male Blackbird, Male Pheasant, Sparrows, Long-tailed Tit, Crow, Herring Gulls, Red-legged Partridges.
Other: Friend with a white Pug.
Observations:
Massive “rook power” display over the rookery.
Wind whistling through the five-a-side fence like an accordion.
Successful identification of Red-legged Partridges via Google Lens.
The temperature was around 4°C, but due to a moderate 17–28 mph north-easterly wind, it felt like -1°C to 0°C. Conditions brought light rain showers and cloudy skies, making the wind chill significant as I started my daily wild nature walk.
A large flock of about 50 jackdaws was flying towards the west, evidently on its way to a nightly roost.
On the corner of Cows Lane, I noticed that some strongly perfumed blue hyacinths had reappeared under a weigela shrub, ready to burst into flower.
Upon arriving at the grassy area in Foxy Lane, I passed a man walking a mongrel-type dog.
As I walked around the recreation ground, approximately 15 gulls and 20 rooks were feeding on the grass. A few gulls and a small flock of 20 feral pigeons were flying around the rooftops of the abandoned factory nearby.
When I reached the cemetery gates, a long-tailed tit flew into the adjacent hedgerow, and a male blackbird hopped along the ground ahead of me before finally disappearing into a nearby shrub.
I managed to photograph the sun going down over the rookery, where many rooks were noisily congregated in the treetops.
Leaving the cemetery, I made my way along the main road and turned into the leisure centre road, watching a herring gull drift overhead, coasting on the wind currents. To conclude the walk, a couple walking two miniature schnauzers passed me by.
Weather: 7°C–8°C (felt like 4°C), light rain/drizzle, 11–19 mph winds.
Flora Observations: Camellia: One bloom near full flower; many healthy buds. Alexanders: First early flower of the year recorded; dense growth on recreation ground banks. Docks: Small, strong plants emerging through the Alexander beds.
Fauna Observations: Herring Gull: Flying low over town centre car park. Wood Pigeons: One perched on silver birch near an old nest; a pair seen on the cricket pavilion roof. Feral Pigeons: Flock seen near the leisure centre. Dogs: Two mini Schnauzers, one dark brown retriever, and Jack (border collie).
Activity Metrics: Distance: 2.28 miles Duration: 47 minutes Google Fit Heart Points: 34 total (8 + 26)
Notes: Photographed the wind-swept pine trees on cemetery road. Extremely muddy conditions near the cricket pavilion.
~~~~~
I noticed just one camellia bloom almost in full flower on a shrub that was covered in swollen, healthy buds ready to flower profusely quite soon. A single wood pigeon was perched high on a silver birch tree near a nest remaining from last year. I wondered if it was reclaiming this nest to raise another family.
I photographed the first Alexander plant in an early flower that I noticed this year. Hundreds of strong, young, green plants are growing around the banks of the recreation ground, ready to spring into flower. Alexanders are renowned for growing close to each other, shading surrounding plants and starving them of light. However, pernicious weeds such as docks and nettles seem to have a built-in survival mechanism and grow through regardless when the Alexanders have completed their cycle and begin to die back. Many small, strong dock plants were coming through between the Alexanders, possibly establishing root networks well in advance of the main growing period.
I walked past the cricket pavilion on an extremely muddy surface, navigating puddles of rainwater unable to soak into the rain-sodden ground. A pair of wood pigeons were seated on the roof of the cricket pavilion.
I walked along the main road as far as the entrance to the cemetery road and took an interesting photograph of the bent-over pine trees; this photo reveals the power of the strong Norfolk winds. I retraced my steps back towards the leisure centre road where I met my old friend Jonathan walking Jack, his lively, elderly border collie.
Overall, today I walked for 2.28 miles in 47 minutes. Google Fit awarded me 26 heart points.
Nature Log Entry Date: 11 February 2026 Route: Standard local route (Cows Lane, Recreation Ground, Cemetery, Leisure Centre) Distance: 1.97 miles Duration: 41 minutes (25 Heart Points)
Environmental Conditions The temperature was approximately 7°C to 9°C (about 45°F to 48°F), but due to wind speeds of 12–13 mph (19–21 km/h) from the southeast, it felt significantly colder, closer to 4°C (39°F). The weather was cloudy with a high probability of precipitation.
Observations Cows Lane: Two wood pigeons were perched on a rooftop; a small patch of purple crocus blooms has spread out considerably. The Recreation Ground: Encountered about 100 rooks flying above the rookery. The terrain was extremely muddy due to the persistent light rainfall of the last few days. Hedgerows & Shrubs: A couple of sparrows were active in the hawthorn hedge near Foxy Lane. A blue tit flew along the top of the shrubs, conspicuous by its swooping flight. Foxy Lane: A magpie was spotted high in a pine tree. The Cemetery: Walked the pathways and observed a blackbird and several dunnock-sized birds. A glossy black crow perched atop a large rowan tree. Curiously, the rookery here was entirely silent with no birds in sight. The Golf Course & Leisure Centre: Spotted two large herring gulls feeding on the grass. Passed a lady walking a Greyhound-type dog near the cricket pavilion.
Narrative Summary As I left the cemetery, the rain intensified, necessitating the use of an umbrella. I took a couple of depressing-looking photographs of the rainfall over the recreation ground as I walked past, capturing the sombre mood of the persistent weather.
I started my daily wild nature walk slightly later tonight and I left the house at approximately 16:00. The temperature was around 3°C to 4°C, but the wind made it feel like -1°C to 1°C due to an easterly wind at speeds of 12–14 mph.
A large flock of over 50 jackdaws were flying north, with several stragglers in groups of four or five. I researched this behaviour and apparently it’s normal for jackdaws to roost in large groups, sometimes with other corvids.
I met a man I have met before walking a small white Pug; we exchanged the usual brief, polite greetings. A hedge-hopping robin followed me around the outskirts of the recreation ground.
When I arrived at the top end, I saw a group of about 20 fieldfares perched on two trees growing in the hedgerow adjacent to the cemetery.
I continued along the way and noticed the resident Pitbull Terrier was quietly sitting on the trampoline in his garden. He watched me impassively as I passed and didn’t resort to his somewhat aggressive barking today.
I followed a couple walking a Cockapoo through the gates into the cemetery and began to walk around the pathways. I was surprised to see that the blackbirds and the fieldfares had hardly touched the red fruit on the crabapple tree yesterday. Obviously, this delicious-looking fruit is sour and inedible to the avian taste buds.
I noticed a couple of wood pigeons feeding on the grass as I made my way towards the entrance gates.
When I began walking along the cemetery road, I photographed a small clump of daffodils containing the first wild, full bloom I have seen this year
A blackbird scuttled underneath a thick woody hedge as I walked by.
Daily Nature Log Date: 19 January 2026 Route: Leisure centre, recreation ground, and cemetery.
Observations: The temperature felt cooler today due to the wind. While the air temperature was around 7°C (45°F), it felt closer to 3°C (37°F) due to the strong, breezy conditions. I commenced my daily active wildlife walk along the usual route today. A few solitary sentinel wood pigeons were perched on random rooftops as I made my way towards the leisure centre. I could hear another wood pigeon gurgling in the background with its typical territorial call. When I began to walk around the outskirts of the recreation ground, I saw about twenty gulls spread out in all directions. A wood pigeon flew up from the large rainwater container situated in the far corner. Several sparrows were flying within the hawthorn hedgerow adjoining the cemetery; they seemed to enjoy skipping from one shrub to another to stay together. I walked through the cemetery gates and watched the same group of sparrows skimming the tops of the shrubs in the opposite direction. A single corvid flew overhead; I believe it was likely a rook returning to the rookery. A couple of wood pigeons flew off in separate directions as I made my way along the pathways. Quite a few fallen autumn leaves remained under the trees, giving off a powerful, musty seasonal aroma thanks to the recent rainfall. Further along, two crows were feeding on the grass, distinguishable by the colour of their powerful beaks. It was lovely to see a line of early, sparkling white snowdrops in flower leading to the cemetery gates. I also noticed that the buds on the daffodils along the cemetery road are ready to spring into bloom at any moment. A large herring gull was running quickly across the golf course as I walked past. Finally, I spotted a wood pigeon perched in a silver birch tree, where the leafless branches revealed a nest from last year’s breeding season.
Activity Data: Distance: 2.59 miles Duration: 58 minutes Google Fit: 28 Heart Points
Daily Nature Log Date: 3 January 2026 Location: Sheringham, England
Weather & Conditions The morning’s light snow showers had settled on the ground, leaving a slippery surface. The temperature was 3°C, but there was a strong, cold wind chill making it feel much colder—potentially near -4°C—with winds blowing around 16–19 mph. The surface was quite slippery, and I had to walk with care.
Observations The Hebe shrubs along our front hedge were covered in purple flowers, bringing a splash of colour to the wintry afternoon. As I made my way along Cowslip Lane, I watched a Magpie sheltering from the vicious gusts on the leeward side of a rooftop. On Foxglove Lane, I passed a man with a mongrel-type dog, both well wrapped up against the wind. Near the abandoned factory, I spotted approximately 20 Feral Pigeons flying around the rooftop they use as a colony. Walking along the outskirts of the recreation ground, I noticed 15 Gulls sitting on the grass with their feathers tucked in against the wind—an effective survival strategy in these harsh conditions. A single Crow flew down to join them. Inside the cemetery, another Magpie flew into a tree bordering the allotment site. I walked past several small trees, including a couple of Crab Apples that surprisingly still held a few sparse fruits. Above the rookery, a small parliament of Rooks circled the treetops.
Reflections The wind was whistling through the trees along the cemetery road, sounding like a strange, arboreal orchestra. Different tones emanated from different varieties of trees, depending on the shapes and sizes of the evergreen leaves. Near the cricket pavilion, I saw a man with two large dogs—a chocolate Labrador and a Golden Retriever. The wind played a ghostly tune against the metal links of the fence by the five-a-side pitch. I was tempted to record the sound on my phone, but it was far too cold to take my hands out of my pockets. Finally, I noticed a family with a Cockerpoo-type dog on the grass beneath the pine trees. Activity Summary Today I walked for 1.6 miles in 32 minutes. Google Fit awarded me 24 heart points.
johnandmargaret1607 