K INGFISHERS about on the Taw and Torridge fishing the tidal creeks, their breeding season well behind them now. To see them it is best to scan up ahead looking for driftwood perches and such, with your binoculars, for they are relatively shy birds and all we may see is a blue-green shape speeding away in low, straight, rapid flight.

Remember the Kingfisher is a small bird only about 7ins long. I see them frequently downstream of the Barnstaple bridges on the south or left bank of the Taw and a friend sees them regularly on the Torridge.

It is very hard winters with much ice and bitterly cold winds that can decimate the Kingfisher population, and many other creatures, of course. However, Kingfishers have to find fish by sight and often move to coastal waters to do so if inland rivers, streams and pools freeze over, rendering fishing impossible. This applies also to grey herons who may look much larger in terms of height but weigh only about 3lb in the "old money". They, too, are sight hunters and soon die in extremely cold conditions.

So, the past decade or so of mildish winters have been good to these birds and their populations seem stable, though I do see more little egrets about than herons these days, even though the heron population should be higher. Must get out to Arlington Court with its long established heronry and excellent wildlife habitat soon, to see what's about in that lovely part of North Devon, under the aegis of the National Trust.

I have cleaned out our nest boxes and put an inch or so of fine chopped hay in one or two that have been used in previous years as night roosts by wrens and tits. We have had as many as 10 wrens roosting in one box to keep warm at night. It is interesting to watch them arrive before dark to slip into a favourite box, and to imagine them huddled warmly together when winds howl and rain lashes down but the little boxes keep them safe and cosy for another day. Do leave nest boxes up folks, you never know who is in need of a dry shelter.

Good winter walk? What about the Valley of Rocks at Lynton. Blow the cobwebs away watching the feral goats, buzzards, ravens, stonechats and who knows what else. I've never been disappointed there where once a river ran parallel with the sea and standing stones of the ancients stood to tell of their beliefs and way of life. And old Mother Meldrum lived there, she of RD Blackmoor's "Lorna Doone" but a real person living in the valley.