It was a lovely warm sunny morning which I spent chatting with a friend in his garden wearing just a T-shirt and shorts. By the time I was able to go for a walk mid afternoon I had to change into winter trousers, fleece and a coat. How bizarre is our weather in England!

I saw nothing at all in my normal birding area near Duchess Pond in Stoke Park Estate and so settled for a walk up through the woods just for some exercise. When I reached the plateau at the top of the hill I managed about 4 seconds of photos – but quite a productive few seconds all the same. Just as well as I saw nothing on my way home.