Snowy Walk.

After some very local shopping for essential supplies yesterday we decided to take a walk in a totally different direction. Taking extreme care not to upend ourselves while walking along the roadside we located the path that meanders alongside the Bonesgate stream (hidden on the left).  Anita made the comment that the view was far prettier now than in the summer because the snow disguises all the rubbish unlawfully dumped by irresponsible local inhabitants and dog walkers!

Evidence of an increase in temperature and then a refreeze.

While I was searching out Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch (hoping for a Brambling but not today), Blue Tits, Blackbird, Robin, Redwing, Song Thrush, Dunnock and Goldfinches, Anita decided she would have a bit of childhood fun.

At the junction of the Bonesgate stream and the Hogmill River we stopped to watch Mallard, Moorhen and then a few Black-headed Gulls dropped in.

Obvious I still need to work on correct settings to counter the 'blown out' whites!

Our next decision having reached the south-eastern corner of Tolworth Court Farm Fields was which path to take to make our way homeward? So using Tolworth Tower, an obvious landmark, we headed east across the snow covered fields and pathways logging Magpie, Jay, Greenfinch, Long-tailed Tits, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Crow and Starlings plus a fox, rabbits and grey squirrels.

This area still resembles the rural landscape of the past and is the remnant of an enclosed farmed field system comprising of 7 fields, of neutral, semi-natural and unimproved, lowland grassland of which one meadow is wet grassland. The site covers an area of approximately 50.00ha. Old hedges and associated veteran trees with small pockets of secondary woodland dissect and bound the site with a confusing network of footpaths. The whole site is prone to water logging during periods of high rainfall (just wait and see when the snow eventually thaws!) and surface cracking during long dry spells. The overall management aim is to conserve, enhance and restore the existing nature conservation interest and to provide local people with an accessible place to enjoy nature (just a pity they don't help to keep it tidy!).

Nearly home to the warmth of a late lunch with most vehicles still sitting dormant at the roadside.  FAB.

Forecasted Snow Arrives.

The forecast on Tuesday was for heavy snow overnight. Well it started late yesterday evening and just before midnight the local Council were gritting the roads and also the pavements in our road well into the early hours of this morning.

This was the view over the roof tops this morning...just 4 inches but many other locations suffered much more severely bringing services and transport to a halt.

Early am visitors to the feeders included this Collared Dove plus the usual Blue Tits, Coal Tit, Starlings, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Greenfinches, House Sparrows and Magpies. New garden ticks for this year were a Song Thrush (not seen for at least 2 years), Carrion Crow and fly-overs by Black-headed Gulls and a single Grey Heron presumably looking for an unfrozen pond somewhere.

Later on a Parakeet joined in the feeding frenzy!

As the day wore on the temperature just crept above freezing and some of the snow began to melt.

This was the scene across the rooftops later this afternoon as the flurries continued and we now wait for the next installment and the likelihood of very icy conditions tomorrow morning.     FAB

Today's Foray!

After a brief local shopping excursion with A to purchase some card making supplies I honoured a promise to collect some foliage for a small display she wants to create. So, well wrapped up, we headed off on a stroll around the local patch.

As you can see there is still a bit of snow around but nothing like our friends are experiencing in the eastern counties.

Horses in their overcoats happily grazing in the paddocks.

We collected the necessary greenery and a few berries with a Great Spotted Woodpecker tap, tap, tapping overhead, and then headed for the warmth of home. Not a lot of avian activity (it was mid-afternoon) but we did see Magpies, Carrion Crows, Blackbird and a Fieldfare on the open fields. A small flock of 15 Lapwings flew over plus a number of Black-headed Gulls were circling around. Flitting through the hedgerows were Great Tits, Blue Tits and a Robin.

As we approached the bottom of the baren field a Grey Heron was disturbed by the constant squawking of Parakeets and promptly flew away through the woodlands before we could get really close.

Activity in and around the garden feeders has been very frenetic today with Wood Pigeons, Collared Doves, Blackbirds, House Sparrows, Greenfinches, Blue Tits, Great Tits, a single Coal Tit, Robin, Dunnock and last but not least the daily presence of a number of very greedy Rose-ringed Parakeets.

Have a good weekend everyone, wherever you are.  FAB