John Clare, The Shepherd's Calendar 1827

The shepherd too in great coat wrapt
And straw bands round his stockings lapt
Wi plodding dog that sheltering steals
To shun the wind behind his heels
Takes rough and smooth the winter weather
And paces thro the snow together

Still some berries in evidence around the village. There are a few funghi to be found, including the Bird's Nest Fungus, King Alfred's Cakes and Jew's Ear.

January and February are the months to feed the birds with nuts or other food. The RSPB run their garden birds survey this month - 30-31 Jan 2010 is the next one - you can pre-register here: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/

Birds in the village this month might include: Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Lapwing, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotter Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Goldcrest, Long Tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Redpoll, Bullfinch, Yellow Hammer. Some of these may be attracted into gardens by nuts and other food.

Ponds and wet places may give sightings of: Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Mandarin Duck, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Kingfisher, ReedBunting

One of the rarest bird sightings in the village ever - a Waxwing was seen in Pettitts Lane on 30 Jan 2003.

Muntjac deer can often be seen on the road verge between Madingley and Dry Drayton. Foxes are more often smelt than seen. Badgers are here, but a rarer sight. Squirrels are more easily spotted with few leaves on the trees. Rabbits much in evidence foraging on the roadside verges.