Winter has arrived

This is a view of Snowdon photographed on the 5th of December looking from the marshes near Porthmadog. For much of November, and up till now (9th December), the tops have been white with snow so it must be winter? However some consider that Winter starts on the 1st of December although the 21st of December, the winter solstice, is considered to be the official date.Whatever the date, it is a good time to visit the marshes, lakes and seashore to watch birds, particularly ducks, geese and waders that over-winter in these habitats. At Borth y Gest we watched Wigeon, Oystercatcher, Redshank and a Little Egret feeding amongst the mud and sand as the tide went out. In the garden, the odd butterfly was still about in November; a Red Admiral was seen on the 5th, and a Speckled Wood on the 10th. Bats are still flying near the rock-climbing room and a nice slimy eel was discovered in the suitably named Slimy Pond...........don't fall in!