A visit to WWT London: Bob the heron arrived at exactly 2pm for the otters’ feeding time. Another heron could just be seen among the Australian pelicans and a third was sunbathing near the white storks. Herons know where to get their food! @adamlittle.bsky.social @everyheron.bsky.social #birds

For #BirdOfTheDay, here is a grey heron at the Italian Gardens, Kensington Gardens, London. This bird was moving between the various ponds in the Gardens, regularly finding fish. #birds

St James’s Park, London. The heron on the bridge was on duty again and was having a preen to maintain the highest level of smartness @everyheron.bsky.social Also spotted was a pochard mother with her duckling #birds

Grey heron on guard on the bridge to Duck Island, St James’s Park, London. No one gets past that sharp beak. @everyheron.bsky.social #birds

Cattle on Port Meadow in Oxford. The meadow is an unimproved area of grazing land bordering the Thames. Cattle and horses graze the meadow, taking very little notice of humans. These animals were enjoying a cooling walk in the river

I had a good view of this grey heron at the Italian Gardens in Kensington Gardens in London. It fished in the ponds, completely ignoring us humans #birds @everyheron.bsky.social

I was really pleased to see this swan family with 7 cygnets at Green Park Village Lake in Reading. One of them tried to climb on Mum’s back but is far too big now! #birds

Silver-studded blue butterfly, Great Orme, Llandudno, Wales. These pretty butterflies are rare nationally but common on the Great Orme.

Canada Goose family with 6 goslings, Kennet & Avon Canal, Reading. The parents had led their youngsters to a grassy bank to feed. While I was watching them, I could hear a cuckoo calling in the background #birds

Handsome (and he knows it!) male Mandarin duck, Whiteknights Lake, University of Reading #birds

The first cygnets I have seen this year. They are so sweet and fluffy. Chelmsford, Essex. #birds

Greylag goose family, River Thames, Reading. The little goslings are slowly getting bigger #birds

It’s gosling season again! Cute greeny-yellow balls of fluff Canada and greylag goslings, River Thames, Reading #birds

While I was in Hyde Park (London) last week, I had a great heron experience near the small heronry at Serpentine Island. I saw around 9, including some punky-haired youngsters born here a few weeks ago #birds @everyheron.bsky.social

My pretty cat Caisley came to inspect me on the sofa yesterday evening #caturday

Pretty white pigeon, Kensington Gardens, London @theroyalparks.bsky.social #birds

I checked in on my local swans a couple of weeks and was surprised that Mr Swan clambered up the bank where I was standing. River Thames, Caversham. I’m hoping the pair will nest. #birds

Two well hidden Reading herons hunting for food. The first one is at Whiteknights Lake, at the University of Reading, the second on a stream at View Island on the Thames. #birds @everyheron.bsky.social

I may have misjudged the mood of this domestic/greylag goose. It wasn’t at all pleased to see me. On the contrary, it was quite angry. River Thames, Reading #birds

Grey heron at the new development at Green Park village in Reading. Herons are quick to take advantage of new fishing opportunities #birds @everyheron.bsky.social

Some birds I saw on the River Thames at Henley in Oxfordshire the other day: male Egyptian goose; cormorant in smart breeding plumage; 3 mallard ducks which were swimming around together. The female and the nearest male are slightly paler than usual #birds

There is just one black swan in Hyde Park in London, and here he is preening alongside his mute swan friend #birds

A few birds I saw in Hyde Park in London on Monday which was much sunnier than today! Black swan; a fierce looking lesser black-backed gull; a pretty stock dove which kept walking round me #birds

Grey herons in Hyde Park in London yesterday. Someone was feeding them fishy treats, which led to a flappy dispute. #birds @everyheron.bsky.social

Birds at Whiteknights Campus at the University of Reading yesterday: robin on top of a pole; Egyptian goose family, and the growing goslings in a warming clump; great crested grebe behind a tufted duck #birds

Two herons at WWT Barnes last Saturday: Bob the famous heron from the otters’ pen, and a younger heron who appears to be sunbathing. Feels a bit early in the year for that. I think I can also see another heron in the background to photo 2. @adamlittle.bsky.social @everyheron.bsky .social #birds

Some gulls I saw in London recently: lesser black-backed gull in Hyde Park, a bird which starred in David Attenborough’s recent documentary because of its ability to catch pigeons; herring gull in St James’s Park; common gull in Kensington Gardens. All preparing for the breeding season #birds

This grey heron was taking advantage of a flooded footpath to extend its hunting territory. Dinton Pastures Country Park, Berkshire. @everyheron.bsky.social #birds

Handsome heron strides confidently along the edge of the lake. St James’s Park, London #birds @everyheron.bsky.social

Plumage variations in black-headed gulls in Hyde Park in London. #1 is a youngster with some brown feathers, and dull orange legs and bill; #2 is an adult with deep red legs/bill; #3 has grown its new season’s black head plumage (actually dark-chocolate brown if you look closely) #birds