On the morning 12th January there was a little respite with the rain and I woke up to clear skies, I decided on a walk along the North Dorset Trailway from Shillingstone as I didn’t really want to plod through the muddy paths, the Trailway is relatively dry and mud free. I wanted to try out my Olympus 300mm lens as it had returned from Olympus after I fell on it, luckily only breaking the lens hood. The lens itself worked OK but as the hood is an integral part and it had to be returned the the Pro Service department. I was really pleased with the efficiency and the service I received and I’m happy to have it back and couldn’t wait to take it out again.

Anyway we (Tilly my dog) took the circuit towards Ham Down burial ground cutting off up the fields to New Cross and down the Hammoon road back to the Trailway  and then back to Bere Marsh. The birds are certainly more active now and starting to declare their territories, I saw and heard a couple of Song Thrushes on my way round.

As I was walking up New Cross I just spotted a flash of white in the hedgerow and was surprised to see a Treecreeper in the hedge. I also spotted around ten Herons taking off from the Heronry, they are preparing for nesting already.

On the way back along the Trailway there was plenty of action I could hear the Skylarks singing above the fields and I noticed the Redwings are still around. I was pleased to see a Yellowhammer, although it was difficult getting an image of him high in the trees.

There were plenty of Blue Tits and Great Tits flying around and I was lucky enough to get the image of one singing in the trees.

The Hazel Catkins are well out now, spring is definitely on the way if only the weather would improve, dry up all the wet fields and muddy lanes and then we could get out and enjoy it.