It seemed to be party-time when I drove through Pangbourne this morning - at least 35 red kites were circling over a house and there were none to be seen by the lake. The Tuftie's were in the middle of the lake having their mid-morning snooze.

There was also a partially leucistic Canada goose swimming with a couple of others - the main flock was in an adjoining field grazing.

It was a beautiful sunny day and because of all the rain recently, a mass of jelly-like algae had sprung up on the concrete steps. It appears from nowhere and looks very much like seaweed. The formal name is nostoc commune but it's also known as Fallen Star and Witches' butter. I googled this and there was an early belief that it was material from shooting stars that had fallen to earth.

There were three mute swans on the lake today, one very much by itself and being chased off by the other cob.

There were also many more birds singing - great tit, blue tit, blackbird......

And this robin who looked very pretty where he was.