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.