Magnificent mallard

You couldn't ask for a more handsome bird, yet we so often ignore them. Lots of birdlife at Blackford Pond: still nine cygnets, all very active doing up tails all; another coots' nest being built at the edge of the island where there were two successful broods two years ago; a moorhen was taking twigs to the nest up a tree on the island we had spotted earlier; the coots who had been nesting on the far side of the pond have built a new nest where they were successful twice two years ago; and I saw the little grebe again just as I was about to leave - no mate yet, but there is probably still time.