Dec 29th

We've had no snow as yet, but did we get rain!! 

Its been raining all day, and as we left the house around 7.40 a.m. it was not just raining, the wind came from the North Eest and was biting.

Also, it was so dark, the street lights were on even past the official hour of sunrise, at 8.20 a.m., when we came back.

We had not heard one raven call early in the morning - nor did we hear any once we were in the park. The ravens only turned up when we were in the ravens field - these were my young pair, whom I now recognise by their behaviour. 

Madame was off her lead, but she was happy to sit next to me, waiting for her reward as the ravens get their scraps.

Interestingly, while she sits, she keeps her head down as if to signal that she is not really looking at where the scraps fall - but she does know precisely where they are!

Also of interest - the ravens approach closer when Madame has her back turned to them, rather than the both of us. One of the young pair now hops as close as a yard.

We left the 'more-food' way, but the ravens took their time to follow us - and they did not call once we all were at the top of the big field. So none of the others came. 

I wonder if this was due to the darkness rather than just the rain.

Ah - its snowing now, just as I type! It looks very wet. 

Will it stay on the ground and bring us another big freeze?

We'll have to wait and see ...