A final local walk of the year proved to be better than expected.
The very dull overcast weather we have had over the Christmas period was eventually made worse by thick fog rolling in over the Ridgeway from the sea.
However a walk along the usual local areas I go provided a surprise or two.
A pair of Collard Doves are now frequenting a local mini Nature Reserve on the Northern edge of Town.
I have observed this Grey Squirrel before, sitting in this position.
The last time he was asleep when it was a nice sunny day.
What I did not expect to find was this male Kingfisher by a local bridge. I was stood on the middle part of the bridge and he flew into a small tree on one side. It then dived and I didn't see what if anything it had caught when retuning to the same perch. It dived again and returned to an adjacent perch in the tree.
It then crossed over the bridge in front of me and perched in another tree the other side.
Both perches it used were quite close and it was undeterred by my presence.
It dived into the water there, caught something and flew off down the river.
Definitely click this image for the full effect.
A lonely Moorhen was creeping about the undergrowth, but then disappeared.
As I remained on the bridge, a Chiffchaff flew into the trees on one side. There is often one or two in this area and this multiplies in the early Spring as they fly over the water catching river flies.
This Chiffy flew up in the air several times catching flies that were still around in this cold weather.
Along the river walk a brave Cormorant was observed swimming along and diving frequently.
It is only a small river at this point measuring no more than 3 metres across.
Like the Kingfisher above, food is at a premium for it now, especially as the rivers in the area have flooded regularly in the recent months.
A female Stonechat made up the nice group of birds I did not really expect to see.
It wouldn't be Christmas without a Robin being observed.
To all my readers, all the best for 2025.
