Merton, Norfolk

A day of rain and snow showers with light covering of the latter.  A grey day with a high of +1 degrees Celsius.
Following my return from work there was little daylight left, so I headed to Merton Church and nearby woodland.  At first glance, the winter woodland may appear devoid of life, however, life is always present, after all, cold winter days sees birds and mammals making the best of the short daylight hours in order to search for food to keep them energised for the night ahead.

Merton Church

I parked by the beautiful Saxon church at Merton where a service was ongoing.  I listened for a while whilst the organ was being played, a beautiful sound emanating from this quiet woodland location.
This late afternoon walk produced typical woodland species expected at this time of year.
Two Green Woodpeckers were seen flying over one of the paddocks, whilst a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard calling.  At least 3 Nuthatches were heard, one in the woodland by the church in this picture.  Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, and Marsh Tit, were seen in the top of a tall Silver Birch where they searched the finer outer twigs for food.
Winter Thrush species both seen and heard in woodland included Blackbird and Redwings.
A couple of Goldcrests were heard, one of which was seen vigorously searching for food, behaviour seen included the Goldcrest hovering close to finer twigs and leaves in order to search for a small invertebrate/spider etc. to eat.

A woodland scene at Merton where Goldcrest, Coal Tit,  and Nuthatch were present, 10th December

 An ancient Horse Chestnut at Merton, Norfolk.