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It was probably the news of a common mynah at Duchess Pond that got us out of bed for an early morning walk around Stoke Park and the thought that we could avoid the crowds.

We soon saw the common mynah who seemed to have adopted one of the many local fishermen who clearly had slept around the pond overnight.

Common Myna looking for the fisherman’s scraps

Fisherman’s friend

There were a few other birds too including swifts, greenfinches, goldfinches, whitethroats, blue tits and a thrush.

Other than the fishermen there were only a couple of other birders and one self-obsessed runner who almost brushed past us (and giving us no time to get out of his way) even though there are acres of land to avoid people.. Instead of going home full of the joys of spring I must admit to going home very angry.

Footnote: Even though the swifts flew here from thousands of miles away I can’t help thinking the common mynah came here by plane or on a boat.