SUNBATHING

It may not be as hot in Hartlepool as around the Med (thank goodness) but this blackbird was making the most of the sun in the park this morning. I'd stopped on my way home from the hygienist who was very pleased with me. Mind you, she said she'd spent the weekend at a conference looking at ghastly videos and presentations about everything that can go wrong in people's mouths so all of her regular patients look perfect in comparison.

It's thought blackbirds do this as part of their preening. It helps keep their feathers clean and dry and free from parasites, I read.