I sat looking through the window. The dog curled up beside me looked sideways in my direction as if to remind me that I had to venture out sometime today. I sipped my tea trying to decide how cold it might be. Was it time for the thick winter warmth or could I still managed with just enough to keep off the rain. The bulkiness of winter clothes makes it difficult to take pictures or make notes whilst out, but sometimes the seeping cold was itself enough to prevent my fingers from negotiating even those simplest of tasks. I looked again. The sky was blue with some clouds, mainly white but with just enough grey to suggest a promise of a winter shower or two. A typical winter sun, there were no shafts of sunlight, but it gave off a brightness that seemed to reflect off the sky in all directions.

I pulled on my boots and the dog instantly became animated, Jumping off the couch she let out a long howl, as if calling to all in the neighbourhood to let them know we were on our way. Pacing between me, as I laced my boots, and the front door next to which her lead hung, she whined excitedly. Finally we were ready. I opted for just a waterproof storm coat and,  stuffing my notebook into my pocket, we headed out the door.

The cold air slapped my face as a reminder that winter was well underway, although thankfully there was no wind. I could hear the notes of  birdsong ricocheting in all directions making it difficult to pin down any single refrain or put a name to any individual author.

The path between the hedgerows adjacent to the road had been swept clean. Sadly there was still the ever present littering of beer cans and fast food wrappings. But it was not as bad as I had seen it in the past. Keeping my eyes on the branches of the trees I watched the birds.

Passing by the cheekiest sparrow who simply watched as we walked by, my head almost level with where he sat within the tangle of the branches. He didn’t budge, just remained completely still, all fluffed up against the winter chill.

A robin sang from the upper branches. The melodious notes tumbled like water droplets cascading over a waterfall, down to my ears, before being carried away on the breeze. I stood for several minutes listening with delight to the sound.

Carrying on down the path and on into the park a different set of characters appeared. Within the park the trees were much higher and there the flocks of tits playing among the branches. The Great tit who wouldn’t stick to just a single refrain. With this deliberate ploy, he made an  effort to confuse and disarm his competitors, trying to give the impression that there were more birds present then there really were. Thus encouraging them to search elsewhere for a suitable site to build this years nest. I watched him, in his bright colours of yellow and black, he cut a dashing figure as he flitted from tree to tree calling out his ruse.

The smaller Blue tits were still in their flocks. They gave rise to a constant chatter as they twisted around the branches and chased each other from tree to tree and down into the underlying shrubs. The Blackbirds, too, were still in their winter gatherings. Although it became obvious that even within the group some, at least, were already paired up. They scattered through the shrubs and vocalised their shrill warning of intruders as we approached.

The dog ran through the undergrowth, sniffing and snuffling through the carpet of last years leaves. Every so often she would lift her head and look round, checking that I was still in view. We appeared to be the only ones venturing out today for we passed not one other soul as strolled slowly through the park.

Just as we got to the furthest point the sky changed. The blue was overtaken with dark, slate coloured cloud, the breeze picked up and an ominous cold suddenly descended like a blanket. I shivered and waited for the inevitable.

Slowly, at first, the tiny white frozen balls hit the ground. As more fell a wind picked up,  gusting and propelling the hail like natures bullets, stinging where it made contact with bare skin. Pulling my hood up over my head I turned my back to the wind and started back towards home, the pumelling at my back and the gusting wind helped to increase my pace.