Linnet

I managed to time my walk round Swaddywell to coincide with the late afternoon sun, which brought out the predominantly warm colours of the site which has not yet shifted from winter to spring mode. But it won't be long before a shimmer of green appears  - if you look closely at the hawthorn bush that this male linnet is perched in, you can see the buds are on the point of bursting. 

After one of the wettest winters in recent years, the pit was still waterlogged and I only just managed to get round the path in the lower part of the site. My walking shoes had already developed a hole, and the rigours of the walk completed their destruction - they are now in the bin and I've sent off for a new pair which I hope will fit okay!