On me 'ed son, on me 'ed

The Safari had a shock this morning when we had a look at Stealth-cam's videos - it looks like it narrowly missed another visit from the Fox with the end of a tail exiting stage right and then half a nose peering into the camera. More worrying was this snippet of digit film it captured - two not so blind Long Tailed Field Mice - no doubt in the few weeks time there will be very many more; might be in need of a free re-location trip out in to the wilds!

Garden birds included a flock of Long Tailed Tits, a fly-over Black Headed Gull (14) and the Coal Tit (15) put in an appearance. By mid morning we were ready to head off to the nature reserve to check on the whereabouts of the Long Eared Owls in advance of tomorrow morning's guided walk. They were in the usual place when viewed from within the reserve and both were sat very close together for a change although the views were obscured by twigs.

We sat for a while in the nearby hide with MMcG and EP waiting for the Water Rail to give some photo opportunities - it didn't show,; we had seen one skitter across the ice between patches of reed earlier but far to quick for a pic. 

Our toes got cold and we decided to give the park a try instead. As we left the hide we met to familiar faces looking for the owls in the wrong bush so we put them onto the hidden feather balls and had a chat with them - it was then that we caught a movement in the corner of our eye and turned to see a Robin hop  out of a nearby tree and land on Frank giving him a right start - never seen a dog jump out of it's skin before!

Then he dived in a puddle and refused to come out, spinning round and round before sitting down in the freezing cold water...nearly pulled his head clean off his shoulders trying to drag him out, a belligerent boy when he sets his mind to playing in water!

 The gulls on the ice gave a few photo ops in very dull grey light

Black Headed Gull

Common Gull

 The park gave us a Goldcrest (92) that we heard several times but couldn't see it deep in the conifers.

Frank was more interested in this Grey Squirrel - actually he was probably more interested in the apple.

This arvo Wifey was at her recording session, if we can work out how to put the tunes on here we will - they're pretty dang fine!

Where to next? See you on the Long Eared Owl walk in the mornning - then a further afield safari might be on the cards.
In the meantime let us know who's breaking the ice in your outback.