Before the opera - a birding wander in Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens

As mentioned in yesterday's blog, we had a wander through the Parks before having lunch and then onto the Opera.

The light was dire - even at 9.00 a.m. we questioned whether the sun had actually risen.

There's a huge Christmas fun fair and market going on in Hyde Park and London was heaving with people... I don't like crowds!!

We had a look for the Little and Tawny Owls but today none were out.  The tree normally occupied by the Tawnies was full of about 15 very noisy Parakeets - which may have put them off coming out...

Again, we'd gone armed with sunflower hearts to feed the birds.  It is amazing to have Blue and Great Tits and a Robin come and feed from your hands... marvelous.

In the park a Grey Heron was waiting for some cheery weather as well...

then off to find some lunch and onto the Opera via Trafalgar Square...

A good time out despite the grey...