Third time lucky! Good views of the Squacco Heron after two other fruitless visits when the bird had been flushed. Hope it finds its way home.

A view of Wollaton Hall from the Lake. As I sketched a Jay flew into the Oak tree doing a very good impression of a Buzzard (which made me look up at the sky expecting to see a Buzzard circling!)

Gadwall at Wollaton. Subtle colour scheme; almost the antithesis of a Mandarin Drake.

Shoveller resting under trees on submerged branches as it rained at Wollaton Lake.

Because of the wet weather there were fewer people about and less disturbance. This Shoveller was feeding at the edge of the lake near the path.

Wollaton Autumn scene with Red Deer.

Red Deer stag with his harem of females. They all sat down as he patrolled, roaring at other stags waiting in the wings.

Wollaton Park. Loads of Grey Squirrels running around the golf course gathering acorns. Saw one bury an acorn in a sand pit, another ran across the putting green while a golfer was trying to put.

Further down the Golf course 2 Red Deer stags battled. Turf was ripped up as they dug their hooves into the ground trying to push each other off balance. Another stag watched from the sidelines and began 'roaring' when the fight had finished.

Wollaton. Jay burying acorns in a grass bank.

Kestrel side view

This unfortunate adult male Kestrel was picked up by my brother near Chesterfield. It had been hit by a car, its neck broken. Its outer 2 primary feathers were still growing and sheaths were visible at their base.

Snipe. Attenborough.

Another opportunity to visit Kedleston Hall and sketch the Mandarins which were perched in their favourite overhanging Willows. With Mallard, Shoveller, Gadwall, Tufted Ducks, Coots and Morrhens.

The hottest start to October since records began! The waterfowl of Kedleston Hall sought shade in the overhanging trees and bushes. Mandarin Ducks were well hidden. Some were in full winter plumage, others were in different stages of moult.

A few Shoveller swam under the overhanging trees, all were still in eclipse plumage with a bit of white coming through on breast.

Heron catching some rays.

Young Mute Swans resting beneath an overhanging Horse chestnut tree. There were 4 young in this group. The adults were on the main lake busy defending their territory against another pair.