Early Winter ?

After a poor Summer all the signs look like an early winter as well.

This part of the world usually doesn't see much snow until after Christmas. 

Climate change has put paid to all the norms, now we can expect anything at any time !

Thankfully some things don't change, like the sound and beauty of a Robin, or the sight of snowy white Swans on a snowy day !  

Been a while since we had a hard winter.....got a feeling we wont have to wait much longer !

Snow White Swans

From Africa to the Arctic in 3 days - the high pressure responsible for the huge weather switch is building again. The local wildlife has taken a battering with many birds nesting under a blanket of snow of the heavy variety, crushing and breaking many bushes. The Swans must have had a bad night on such an exposed nest site, open to the bitter polar winds. Popeye is presently on the snowy nest , whilst Penny is taking a break and giving herself a clean and preen. This is the first time they have ever been caught nesting under a heavy snowfall. I was also greeted by many ducks this morning, looking for a sustaining feed to keep them going whilst nesting. The next potential threat comes from a quick thaw, maybe coinciding with the high spring tides this weekend !