One of the heron's favourite spots at the park is at the top of the pool where the little stream flows in. It wasn't a surprise this morning then when, as I approached, a heron took off and fly down to the far end. Usually, it flies low over the water, and rather sedately. This morning, it was high and fast, settling in a tree rather than down at the water's edge.

Once Badger and I dawdled our way down to the end, I found out why. There were two herons - one taking off from side of the pool, the other out the branches above me. The one I'd disturbed wasn't the regular visitor, but some fish-stealing interloper. The brigand (arr!) flew off over Salisbury Road and disappeared, while our usual morning chum did a gentle circuit and settled in a tree on the island. Order had been restored.

Swans were, well, swanning around on the water this morning. They are very pretty.