The Expected Journey: New Year!

Happy late New Year.

Throughout December the busy Xmas schedule plus the terrible weather made my visits over the fields very difficult. As a result my blog updates are slightly behind, there are 2 visits to write up here. The first is from the 9th Jan 2013. here is what i wrote in my journal on that day:

"Two firsts today, the first outing with my new binoculars and my first visit of 2013. I did not visit here over Xmas due to the bad weather, i have missed it terribly. I was thinking the other day about death, my death to be precise, as i often do. Where would i want my ashes spread? the conclusion was that at this moment they would be split into 3. A third at Titchwell reserve, Norfolk, a third at Ambleside, Lake District and a third right here over these fields, these underlooked fields that i have made my refuge and my place to escape. I'm sat on the gate again at Point 2, my usual place for writing. I'm listening to Howard Shore, The Breaking of the Fellowship on my Ipod, a relaxing song for a relaxing atmosphere.

I head off to Finland early tomorrow morning, i can't wait. The ground today is as bad as i have ever seen, my boots are thick with mud. The temperature is very mild, i need to brace myself for the predicted temperature of -4 to -10 in Helsinki. The last time i experienced cold like that was at Pennington Flash, a local bird reserve. That day a Fox walked onto the frozen pond in front of me, not very far away and in broad daylight. It's funny how certain things remind you of memories, it's like they are trying not to be forgotton. It's time to carry on my walk, a Waxwing would be an absolute treat, but i am not hopeful."

There was not much wildlife about that day other than the usual small passerine's. A Cormorant flew over the Water Treatment Plant and a Kestrel was present in a small tree, being mobbed by a few Crows.

18th JANUARY 2013

This visit was only a few days ago, i could not miss the opportunity to vist the fields on this day. The night before we had a good amount of snow, the fields were blanketed in white. The temperature was at -2 (nothing compared to the -16 that i experienced the week before in Helsinki). My main objection on the visit was to put out lots of seed and fat balls for the birds. With the frozen ground and thick snow cover it's extremely difficult for the birds to find food. After this was done, my walk resumed.

The path from Point 2 to Point 3 seemed to be the most productive. A flock of beautiful Yellowhammer were flicking from bush to bush, sometimes joined by a few Reed Buntings that were feeding on the vast piles of steaming manure that are piled up beside the path. Just further down the path a few large Thrushes were in a small tree. My first thought was Mistle Thrush, they are normally knocking around the farmers field at Point 3. I got the binoculars on them and to my great surprise, Fieldfare! They sat in the tree for around 5 mins, letting me get quite close before the flock of 4 flew off. Finally some Fieldfare this winter, i was beginning to think that i would not see them here this year.

At the far end of the farmers field, beyond Point 3 a Buzzard dropped out of the tree and glided around the outskirts of the field before dropping over the treeline and disappearing from view. The snow allows you to see what wildlife is present by looking for tracks in the fresh snow. I took some photos of the weather along with some Rabbit trails and what i suspect are the footprints of the Deer that i sometimes see.