Garden bird counting

The Safari didn't get in from the party until the wee small hours but Frank had us up not too long afterwards and then it was time to do our hour's count for the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch. Two Herring Gulls were very quick off the mark on the bread we threw on the garage roof and almost disappeared before the timer started.

The notebook filled slowly until an entry was written in in capitals - Coal Tit...year bird #99! Goldfinch and Magpie were near misses and a Sparrowhawk sat in the  big tree at the top of the hill but didn't come anywhere near Base Camp today.

A quick breakfast was wolfed down and then it was off to the furthest reaches of the North Blackpool Pond Trail for more  counting. A frosty start meant there was a thin crust of  ice on the lake but the sun gave us some nice photo ops.
The only Common Gull amongst the 30 or so Black Heads.

Great Crested Grebe, from this pic there are two on the lake as the one scoped and counted wasn't as far advanced in its moult as this one.

 The regular Heron comes to a chap who feeds it bacon rind apparently.

 "You get my good side?"

 Drake Mallard

 Drake Mallard x ???

 Any suggestions

A couple of Primroses were found in flower and there will be an excellent show of wildflowers later in the year provided the path edges don't get mown at the wrong time.

Where to next? Might be back later, if not we have a safari planned for tomorrow to try to regain a decent lead over Monika.

In the meantime let us know what saved the day on your big outback count.