Another day, another bird blog. I was going to apologise for the proliferation of birds this week but I don’t think we can ever have enough birds in our lives and, hopefully, some of you feel the same. Fortunately, today’s bird was much closer than those I’ve featured in the last two days.

In fact, seeing one strutting happily along the towpath at Forest Farm last Friday and then this one in a grassy field, also at Forest Farm but during a second visit on Monday, was a particular treat as my usual, and sadly infrequent, views of Stock doves are as distant specks in farm fields, where they can be difficult to pick out from their Woodpigeon cousins.

And they are such beautiful birds that they need to be seen up close to appreciate the subtle colours and patterns of their plumage.