Snow hasn't fallen in my area for several years but there have been a few winter wonderland scenes recently with crisp frosty mornings creating Christmas card landscapes in local parks and on commons.

Most wildlife can adapt to harsh conditions but small birds such as wrens and gold crests in particular may suffer, for the smaller the surface the more rapidly heat is lost.

In the prolonged snow and icy conditions way back in 1963 the wren population plummeted and took some time to recover.

Blackbirds and thrushes find their main diet of worms difficult to access in snow but fortunately there has been an excellent crop of berries so our winter visiting redwings will fare well as will blackbirds and thrushes.

If ice covers ponds for long periods then herons and kingfishers face problems. Kingfishers have been known to fly to the coast and hunt in ice-free rock pools.

Grey squirrels don't hibernate but may spend more time in their dreys and badgers too, nearing the time when cubs are born may stay underground for longer periods.

Now is the fox mating season and they seem to thrive in snow and frost, their calls echoing around in crisp conditions.

Fish spend time in deep holes where the water is less cold and can become almost torpid while male frogs enter a period of suspended animation at the bottom of ponds.

Pictured is a fox enjoying a moonlit foxtrot!