I surprised a Woodcock in the garden yesterday, feeding in a rough patch under the pergola, and this morning a Green Woodpecker spent some time digging out an ants’ nest in the grass. Two Greenfinches on the sunflower feeder all week and one Coal Tit, several Blue Tit’s and Great Tits and a dozen House Sparrows, a Magpie with one foot missing (how does the poor thing roost?) and 7 Starlings digging busily through the turf. Three Wood Pigeons chasing each other off, just one Collared Dove feeding peacefully, two Blackbirds feeding in the borders, a Wren in the tubs on the terrace and finally a flock of 5 or 6 mixed gulls hoovering up pastry scraps. (SB)