Sad news: the Tawny Owls' nest tree has collapsed. The owls seem to have been out of the tree when it happened late yesterday afternoon, and are presumed to be all right though we have no idea where they are. The thick horizontal branch that had their nest in it fell off, and the tree surgeons will have to remove other branches to make this hollow and rotten old tree reasonably safe. This picture was taken from the northwest side of the tree. To the left of the break you can see the 'balcony' where the pair sometimes came out and sat together.

So the owls will have to find a new tree, and we shall have to find where they have found it.

One of the Little owlets could be seen under the canopy of the nest tree.

A parent was calling from a lime tree near the leaf yard at the bottom of the hill, but was impossible to see in the dense leaves.

This corner of the leaf yard is now such a popular place for visitors feeding the parakeets that the electric wagons of Liberty Drives have started bringing them.

And a visitor left this curious tribute on the notice next to the path.

The speckled female Blackbird on the east side of the Long Water near the Italian Garden is now coming out to demand food. She likes digestive biscuits.

The two Jackdaws near the bridge also expect to be fed.

On the posts near Peter Pan, a Mallard was surprised when a Grey Heron cam down into the water just behind her.

The Great Crested Grebe family were also opposite Peter Pan., cruising around with one chick on its father's back and the other two following. He tired of carrying it, and stood up and flapped to dump it in the water.

I didn't know what this handsome tree fungus is, but Mario has kindly pointed out that it is a Dryad's Saddle, also known as Pheasant Back, Polyporus squamosus.