Robin

The loud melodious song of the Robin is much in evidence at this time as the birds establish their territories for the breeding season.
To humans these birds seem tame and friendly but will defend their territories violently from other Robins

Garden Birdwatch

This weekend the RSPB is holding its Big Garden Birdwatch so take an hour to record what you can see in your garden. Pictured are a few of the birds we have seen this morning.

Clifton Bridge

We were a bit out of the Cotswolds today in Bristol but the wintry sun made a nice picture behind Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Stormy winter day

Today started frosty with sleet and snow on the ground from yesterday's storm. Then all to soon lovely morning sunshine was followed by a stormy afternoon, complete with large hailstones. Eventually a wonderful winter sunset showed our our oak tree in silhouette.

Kingfisher

This dark time of the year was said on the news today to be the most depressing time. We do not really agree as so much is starting to grow.
If this is not enough we caught sight of this colourful Kingfisher fishing in a mill pond in Uley today.

Snowdrops

Snowdrops are usually at their peak in February but this year they are already putting on a fine show.
Snowdrops have been recorded growing wild in Britain since the 1770s  in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire particularly in woodland although they often mark the sites of long demolished cottages where they were once garden flowers. They occur in clumps as they usually reproduce by division as there is little insect activity for pollination at this time of year.

Fallow Deer

Now is a good time to spot deer With no leaves on the trees and bushes there is less cover for them to hide in. We spotted these fallow deer on the Sherborne Estate where they were originally introduced for hunting and deer coursing.Fallow deer are not a native species but are thought to have been introduced by the Normans.

Primrose

The first primroses of spring are starting to bloom in the local fields and banks. Our native wild primroses are a delicate shade of yellow but elsewhere in Europe they can be white pink or red.These somewhat scruffy first arrivals will be followed by many more later in the season.

Rainbow

Bright sunshine and showers today gave a lovely rainbow over the fields.

Misty Woods

Warmer weather today brought fog making the woods look mysterious