Still a bit dank

The Safari wasn't able to climb the hill to Patch 1 this morning after a whole night of freezing fog the footpath was like Eddy the Eagle's runway!!!

By lunchtime it had thawed out and was light, which makes a refreshing change, so we had another attempt, successful this time. There was still a fine thin mist everywhere that at any moment could turn back in to the dreaded fog.

Two Peregrines were on the tower, one enjoying a bite to eat. In the park we heard but didn't see a Great Spotted Woodpecker as well as the constant coo-ing from both Woodpigeons and Collared Doves, although there wasn't actually that much bird activity.

We did see our first Daffodils of the 'spring' said very advisedly!!!

A few yards further on a piece of unusually orange 'litter' in the shrubbery by the road caught our attention and delving under he bushes it turned out to be this rather colourful fungus, Honey Fungus? We're about as good with fungi as we are with seaweeds.

A male Sparrowhawk half heartedly chased a Woodpigeon it had flushed, adding another species to the Patch 1 list (27; = Patch 2). A little later a female dived in to tree where several Woodpigeons were hanging out, they left in a clatter of wings while she sat on the same branch smugly preening but didn't stay long enough for us to get the camera activated. Moments later we saw the male chase the female through the trees of the Butterfly Zone, looks like there may well be another nesting attempt this season.

Not a lot else was seen, 12 Magpies were still hanging around Magpie Wood and a Dunnock sang from the Golden Triangle.

Where to next? Off to cross everything that 'Pool beat Sunderland and our other result predictions all go in 'Pool's favour. Should be able to do a bit of safari-ing tomorrow but to where is undecided as yet...depends very much on the visibility biut we can't allow Monika to get too far ahead.

In the meantime let us know if you've been able to see owt in your outback.