Ringed Plover [Charadrius hiaticula]

My two kids are taking me out to eat, at an Indian restaurant, so I won't be able to answer your comments for about 10 hours, thanks.

And then................................

there was the Mandarin Duck, male

Cuban Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna arborea)

Magic bag time

Barn Swallow [Hirundo rustica]

Conservation status: Amber

Swallows are small birds with dark, glossy-blue backs, red throats, pale underparts and long tail streamers. They are extremely agile in flight and spend most of their time on the wing. They are widespread breeding birds in the Northern Hemisphere, migrating south in winter.

Swallow numbers in the UK have fluctuated over the last 30 years with pronounced regional variation in trends. The species is amber listed due to population declines across Europe. [RSPB]

Little Owl [Athene noctua]

This small owl was introduced to the UK in the 19th century. It can be seen in the daylight, usually perching on a tree branch, telegraph pole or rock. It will bob its head up and down when alarmed. In flight it has long, rounded wings, rapid wingbeats and flies with a slight undulation.

Breeding Bird Survey data suggest that Little owl numbers are declining, with the UK population estimated to be down by 24 per cent between 1995 and 2008. [RSPB]