I went for a walk and reached Thrupp Lake (one of the Radley Lakes) at about 3:30 pm. Going in by a gate next to the cycle track I found the path got very muddy at first.

Instead of doing the usual full circuit I stayed on one bank and gazed across the water.

At first all the birds seemed a long way away.

In the trees of the central islands some large birds (Cormorants?) were already roosting.

Flocks of smaller birds flew around, landing in the high branches above the large birds and then taking off again.

Nearer at hand, some ducks drifted by.

A Grebe kept diving and reappearing. There were also coots diving but they did not travel such long distances underwater.

The sun set behind me and a young swan came up very close. It must be familiar with humans as a source of food and waited in front of me for a little while before drifting away.

It went on to join another young swan dipping the lake for vegetation.

As the light faded, the moon became clearer. I retraced by steps back across the mud and back on the cycle path.

Twenty trees have been planted along one side of Boxhill recreation ground. These more than make up for the half dozen trees that were cut down a couple of weeks ago.

The other end of the recreation ground has some more established woodland alongside the banks of the River Stert.