Hardly, it’s the moss and it’s expected at this time of the year, after all. Then within a few minutes of my amble an enthusiastic burst of song caught my attention, as a song thrush challenged the blustery conditions and I must say, from where I was standing, the thrush was winning with ease and aplomb.

Therefore, there was no way I could succumb to the promised rain (oh yes it came in buckets later on) if such as this bird was NOT going to give in to mere wintry weather.

The next few fields I passed by admittedly had little for me to hear or see, as the smaller birds hunkered down into what cover they could find.

This gave me pause to ponder on the plight of the song thrush since my youth, for this once ubiquitous bird is now rarely seen. Yes, another red-listed again, in my lifetime.

This was perhaps the time I should succumb to this miserable weather and retreat home but then a kestrel took up the challenge of the wind and hovered over land recently purchased by the LWT.

It gives hope for nature and that thought kept the positivity that the song thrush had created at the start of today’s walk.

If you want to make a positive difference for nature in the North West, you can support LWT's Step Up for Wildlife Appeal here.