Saturday 14th January (The First Frost of the New Year)


Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window to see everything coated in a white frost. Jack had visited during the night leaving behind crystals of every shape and form. The sun was rising in the east and the world was silent; nothing stirred only Mr. Kite.

A Bike Ride in the Sun


On this sunny morning Mr. Kite saddled The Beast and set off up the country lanes to Venus Pool. The air was still and the birds were active. On the hedges birds flitted and sang; and in the sky the birds called. Venus Pool had a thin layer of ice so the mallards, teal and shovelers sat on the edges. This splendid morning stirred the ornithologists into life. On every path and in every field someone was standing there with binoculars or a scope watching linnets, rooks and goldfinch.

The Trout Pool


The trout pool was not frozen today so many of the birds went there today. Flocks of canadian geese dropped in to join the grebes and ducks. Mr. Kite's binoculars were not good enough to search the water thoroughly but the usual bird were identified and nothing less common found.

Return Trip Home


Mr. Kite then slowly returned to The Residence via Atcham bridge and Attingham Park. In the park a large flock of fieldfare and redwing fed with noisy rooks near by. On the last part of the trip Mr. Kite spotted, this first time this year, a long-tailed tit. This bird was on its own. After such an event Mr. Kite returned home for a tipple of Abbots Ale. Cheers.