A WALK through the woods at this time of the year is a unique experience.

For one thing bird spotting is made much easier, without thick leafy foliage obscuring the view.

While on an artistic level, the bare branches twist and intertwine into a myriad of patterns against a grey wintery sky that I find enchanting.

Robins sing with that air of melancholy in their song which gives the performance a bittersweet tone, and leaves left from autumn line the pathways in rusty hue.

A wander through the woods after a thick frost brings its own kind of magic.

Frozen undergrowth sparkles like crystal in the cold crisp air, enhancing the deep red of holly berries.

A trip to the woods in early morning or late evening may reward you with the sight of a small group of roe deer, sporting their darker winter coat. These beautiful animals can sometimes be seen moving through the trees in search of food.

You may even catch a glimpse of a jay, the most colourful member of the crow family, with its distinctive white rump as it flies past. These birds collect food in the autumn and can gather as many as 5,000 acorns, which they store in the hollow of a tree or under leaf litter, ready for the coming winter.

A wander through the woods is something I always enjoy but at this time of the year it really is like walking through a winter wonderland.

LB Loxley