A few birds in the park

Being restricted in the nature reserves I can reasonably go to at the moment, I decided to keep my hand in down at the local park a few days ago. Who cares if they are 'common' birds, it still feels nice to catch them doing their thing ... like a Black-headed Gull just drifting.

And I do like a Tuftie

That's as close to being a golden eye as a Goldeneye

A Great-crested Grebe was having no trouble picking up tiddlers for lunch and gulping them down ...

Gulls are another of my favs for just snapping when the light is right. This immature Lesser Black-back seems to have very dark wings for its age though.

They actually have quite expressive faces when they peer down at you

The low light catching the edge of the wing just makes this one pop

My little friend was back on the river and still not camera shy. In fact, one of a pair hunting together

I don't know why they are suddenly so calm and approachable.

Another Tuftie was doing his exercises.

Obviously, he was difficulty removing a stubborn stain because he spent a good 15 minutes continuously bathing and stretching and then starting all over again.

A Cormorant popped in ...

... but didn't hang around

Meanwhile, he's still at it ...

And finally, "have I got rid of that mark, yet? I daren't look anymore!"