A slight hint of spring in the air, though it seems that we have to get through at least one more frosty spell before it materialises. The hazel catkins are coming out, and a Blackbird was singing -- they start later than most songbirds. The Stock Doves near the owls' nest tree were adding their monotonous call to the chorus. But there was no sign of the male owl again.

The Bearded Tits were in their usual place, looking irresistibly charming.

Their tail feathers are getting rather worn from constantly brushing against the swaying reeds. One of the watchers said to me, 'I was told to go to the Diana Memorial Reed Bed, and I thought, "At last, something useful. Not like that thing,"' gesturing over his shoulder at the ugly grey drain that is called a fountain.

One of the two pigeon-eating Lesser Black-Backed Gulls was on the prowl in the usual spot near the Dell restaurant. It is now in breeding plumage. The rich diet has made it wonderfully healthy looking, with brilliant custard-yellow bill and feet.

The Black-Headed Gulls have to content themselves with smaller prey. Here they vie for a chip that a generous diner at the Lido restaurant has offered them.

I went up Queensway and found the amazingly blasé Pied Wagtail running around among the bustling crowd of humans. I threw some pieces of cheese on the pavement for it, and it carried one right out into the busy road. Here it is on the yellow line. A moment later it had to leap out of the way of a car.

The bird tends to stand on one foot, holding the other up in a contracted position. Someone who knows it well told me that it is lame. But I watched it, and it was standing on either foot and holding the other one up. And it can run perfectly well. I think it may be getting sore feet from always running around on a hard surface. The wagtails in the park spend some time in the grass to give their feet a rest, but this is a purely urban bird.