Found it at last!

Snow! What did you think?

Before we set off a Sparrowhawk flew over Base Camp and flushed a flock of Goldfinches from a nearby garden - a bonus two species for my 'US' February Back Yard Bird Count bringing the total to 18 species.

Todays safari was more of a trip out to see what all the fuss is about. We in Blackpool have been led to believe there have been some falls of snow about. Not here! so a trip out east to the alledged snowy wastes was planned. we just about found some although looking out further east Longridge Fell and, in the distance, Pendle Hill look to have more than a dusting. The western face of the Bowland fells is extremely disappointing.

There was very little wildlife about. The sky was empty and the woods mostly silent except for the melancholy twittering of the odd Robin and the occassional burst of song from a Coal Tit.

Frank the Flabrador was happy enough skating around on what little thin ice there was. He's getting good a finding Foxes and cats but not much else.

We finished the safari at another site where the Rangers maintain a feeding station at the car park. A good selection of birds were here, Blue, Great and Coal Tits and some frustratingly camera shy Long Tailed Tits. Great Spotted Woodpecker visited briefly and there were a few Chaffinches about, a Blackbird hopped around the floor beneath the feeders mopping up any spills but otherwise it was fairly quiet. This Nuthatch was the only bird to stay still long enough to get a reasonable snap of, for which I am very grateful - a fine specimen.

Where to next? There's still a good chance of Porpoises off the prom during the coming week, so fingers crossed.

In the meantime let us know what you have found in your (not so) snowy waste outback.