The Little Owl in the oak tree was ranging up and down inside the hollow branch, frequently calling. Every now and then it would pause to look out. It was not at all clear what was going on.

There was also a Treecreeper climbing the same tree and the one next to it.

This picture shows how the bird uses its stiff tail feathers as a prop to keep it in position when climbing a vertical surface.

Two male Great Spotted Woodpeckers were drumming at each other in the leaf yard.

This one seemed to have lost the contest, because it flew away leaving the other one in place and still drumming.

A pair of Wood Pigeons near the bridge were obviously in love.

There is a post in Africa Gómez' blog The Rattling Crow about the nesting behaviour of Wood Pigeons, with links to other interesting articles by her about their courtship and nesting habits.

A Coot in one of the Italian Garden ponds was deliberately swimming under the full drenching of the fountain, again and again.

Perhaps it finds this a super-efficient way of washing, like a power shower.

In the Long Water nearby, a Mandarin was chasing away a Little Grebe which had been harmlessly minding its own business.

I didn't see the Little Owl near the leaf yard, nor the Tawny Owl. But Wendy saw the Tawny at 10.30 this morning, which means that the owlets aren't out yet. (Neither is her post about today's expedition as I write this, but no doubt it will be up soon.)