6th December, 1999

Fieldfares and redwings continue to feed along the overgrown hedgerow which grows alongside the Went Beck. The hawthorns are still loaded with berries, so there seems to be plenty of available food to keep the migrants in this area, at the moment, rather than moving on, as many of them will at some point in the winter. The mistle thrushes have maintained their usual, noisy defence of their food supplies and, as usual, are putting a lot of effort into trying to chase away the other birds.

A large and rapid drop in air pressure during the night between the 1st and 2nd of the month was followed by gales and heavy rain, which removed any remaining leaves from the hedgerow, leaving only rose hips and haws. A single crab apple tree, which is normally quite inconspicuous when not in flower, is now quite easy to spot because the ground beneath it is littered with fallen apples. Also, one or two apples have managed to remain on the tree.

After the heavy winds, the first sleet and snow showers of the winter arrived on the 3rd. There was not enough snow to cover the ground but conditions became much colder and a clearing of the skies on the night between the 4th and the 5th resulted in the first hard frost.