The rain had brought the insects down over the Round Pond, and the resident Hosue Martins were skimming low over the surface. By accident I photographed a Swallow that was with them, on the left of this mediocre picture. There are never many Swallows in the park, and any that you see are passing through on their way to somewhere else.

One of the pair of Jackdaws near the bridge was sheltering under the cornice with some Feral Pigeons.

Two Moorhens were getting quite wet and bedraggled.

Great Crested Grebes are absolutely waterproof, of course. Two of the chicks from the island were diving together, playing at fishing. They will have to do it in earnest in a couple of months.

The grebe on the nest on the fallen poplar in the Long Water was feeling a bit cramped and stood up for a flap. You can't see any eggs from this low angle, but I am sure there must be some, as the nest is always occupied.

These Greylags at the Round Pond were drinking from a puddle. Geese often choose puddles rather than the lake. Evidently they like the taste of fresh rainwater.

On Buck Hill, the Mistle Thrushes have already eaten most of the berries on the top branches of the rowan trees, which ripen first, and have moved down to a lower level.

A flock of Long-Tailed Tits was working its way down the Flower Walk. It is a good place to see these charming birds, as the dense and varied trees and shrubs harbour a lot of insects.

When the rain stopped, the male Little Owl came out to his favourite place in last year's nest tree.