January 2012

Dominated by cold misty mornings, the parkland is often flattened into receding layers of landscape. No snow, but the occasional hard frost to whiten the ground which remains so where and when the sun fails to shine.

The sun has made low late forays into the land with a warm glow against the bare trees particularly those in the lower bank of the Serpentine ponds. Not the easiest of paths to walk along, but it reveals aspects of the eastern parkland, somewhat hidden. There are a few obstructive branches to duck under or around, but worth it for the treecreepers and nuthatches.
On one really icy, but beautiful, morning that our patrol coincided with, we met Terry feeding the deer close to the Rotunda. All the red deer that is, except for one. As Terry said, with a not too worried smile, "I've lost my stag." But not for long. The boy came bounding around from the north and up to the herd, clearly anxious not to miss out. Which of course he didn't, as others gave him a clear space wherever he wandered.
As January ends, the ground is wetter and muddier, especially near the gates. The thinning of Menagerie Wood and the ground clearing in Shed Plantation are carried on, with reed thinning taking place at Keeper's Pond.

The place looks still, but changes are afoot.

December 2011

With frost in the shaded areas of the parkland, it would be without error to say that it is winter. The wind scuds the cloud across and the sunlight searchlights feature particular areas from time to time.

Archer's Gate glows against the bared trees as a sharp wind cuts from the north west. It is good to see a hare which on reflection, seem to have been seen on fewer occasions this year.

Around the Argyll column, in the low afternoon sunlight, there is no mistaking a cluster of fieldfare.

Until Boxing Day, I see only handfuls of walkers. On the Bank Holiday, it is quite different and dog walkers, in the main compliant, have to have an eye kept upon for those unaware of the permissive access requirements. Granted there are some dogs seen that wouldn't or even couldn't bother another living soul, but that is not the point. Happily, some compliances are happening upon seeing the flash of ranger red approaching.

There is too another event in the Parkland to which Rangers are invited. I came across one in 2010, but on that occasion, a shooting group flushed them out of their wooded venue. The conservation volunteers, had their winter feast, held this year in the shady bowl of Menagerie Wood. Plenty of jolliness, mulled wine, mince pies, cake, burgers and sausages. Oh, of course, a bonfire or two.