Rock doves

It's doubtful whether there are any pure-bred rock doves Columba livia left, except perhaps on remote sea cliffs where there are none of their domesticated pigeon descendants to mate with. Nevertheless, these 'rock doves' on Tynemouth pier are very attractive birds and are a cut above street pigeons, especially when the light strikes those iridescent throat feathers at the right angle. Enough to turn the head of any passing racing pigeon......

Cold Ears

The freezing weather might be holding the spring flowers back but it seems to have little effect on spring-fruiting fungi. These jelly ears Auricularia auricula-judae growing on a dead elder stem were in fine condition today. And I think I've found more fine specimens of scarlet elf cap this year than ever before.

Flying Can-openers

Today's Guardian Country Diary is about Kirkby Stephen's famous macaws, that can often be seen on the rooftops of this Cumbrian market town.

These spectacular birds originally belonged to a local farmer and conservationist called John Strutt, who died a couple of years ago. You can read all about this remarkable man and his amazing free-range parrots by visiting this web site.

There's also more about him here.