Wintery, but no snow.

Looking across one of the fields adjacent to the nature reserve, almost at the highest point in the Chilterns - it was bitterly cold, but hardly any snow (just a few icing-sugar dustings in north-facing parts of our woods). I flushed more woodcock on my walk and watched six doe Roe Deer, acting like they were on a girlie afternoon (having escaped from wherever the buck was doing its 'controlling thing') and a scattering of Muntjac Deer, moving around the wood with the jumpiness they always exhibit. I found Scarlet Elf Cup fungi in a completely new spot and nearby found the first Snowdrops in flower.