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.