Three Great Spotted Woodpeckers appeared in the trees near the bridge, two males and this female.

A Goldcrest was dashing around briskly in an oak tree, which still had leaves on making it difficult to get a shot. This is the best I could manage ...

... and Ahmet Amerikali got a better one when it crossed the path and perched in a yew.

A Chaffinch chewed up a large peanut, which even with its strong bill took some time.

A Wren climbed down a branch.

A few Long-Tailed Tits passed overhead.

A female Blackbird ate holly berries.

All the above shots were taken within a few yards of each other. The southwest corner of the bridge is currently the best place in the park to see songbirds of most species.

The male Little Owl was visible again in the usual lime tree near the Henry Moore sculpture.

A Jackdaw expertly shelled a peanut in the leaf yard.

A Cormorant caught a small perch under the marble fountain of the Italian Garden.

The number of Gadwalls in the fountain pool has gone up to eight.

The Black Swan on the Round Pond is now associating with the Mute Swans, and relations seem reasonably friendly.

I can't work out what this squirrel was eating. At the time I thought it was pistachio halva, but close up it looks more cake-like. People have very strange ideas about what to feed the creatures in the park, but at any rate the squirrel seemed to like it.

The pontoon bridge to the island is being pulled aside when not in use, which should keep foxes from crossing.

There is a good deal of digging going on. According to a notice on the fence there is a pool in the middle of the island, which I hadn't known about. It also says that 'facilities' will be provided for nesting Grey Herons, which presumably means putting baskets in the trees as in Regent's Park. Not sure that this is a good idea, as the baskets have attracted squatting Egyptian Geese, and the herons are perfectly capable of making nests out of twigs.

Tom was at Rainham Marshes, where he got a dramatic picture of one of the Barn Owls being chased by a Carrion Crow ...

... and a Snow Bunting, an unusual visitor here.