25th December - All Wrapped Up In Christmas Feeling

With the children all now left home and the impact of the Covid-19 restrictions Helen and I found ourselves on our own once again on Christmas Day.  It was always our intention to go for a walk to get some air before the meal and compulsory drinking, however when the weather forecast said it was going to be clear and frosty we decided to get out early and as a result we found ourselves walking Brislands Lane just after sunrise, the winter sunshine providing a golden glow across the frost tinged hedges.

We walked through Old Down Wood, the muddy paths frozen in places.  A check of the tree where Morris the Owl has been for the last ten years came up with a blank, maybe he has yet to start breeding, it won't be long though.

Walking through the woods the early morning silence was pierced by the laughing call of a Green Woodpecker and as we reached the Old Down Cottage entrance Redwing burst from the hawthorn and holly bushes, their "seeping" calls audible as they melted into the surrounding trees.

On Christmas Eve I had walked past the pond and counted 31 Mallard a high count for this time of year.  As we approached the pond this morning I wondered how many there would be present.  I could see the Mallard all in the middle of the pond due to a family walking around the pond.  But what caught my eye more than the Mallard was a single drake Tufted Duck, a patch tick and a very welcome Christmas Present, my first new bird around the patch for two years.

Now the annoying thing was I had decided not to take my camera so I had to make do with the phone.  However it is clearly a Tufted Duck, even if I can't get the exposure right o have the best reflection in the water!

Chuffed to bits with the Tufted Duck we walked on.  Along Gradwell Lane sixteen Red-legged Partridges fed in the field.  Here one at eye level.

And then it was down Brislands and back along Lymington Bottom to home for a Christmas Breakfast and to enjoy the rest of our day

Everyone didn't have the Christmas they expected this year, but one thing for certain is the world roles on.  That afternoon there was a beautiful reminder of the wonder of the world outside, a spectacular sunset over the village.

Happy New Year and please stay safe everybody!