Alexandra Park

Carrion crow, Alexandra Park 

I overslept, which is an interesting new habit, so the intended expedition was postponed. Which gave me the chance to watch the crowds on the feeders in the back garden and notice that half a dozen black-headed gulls were back on the school roof waiting for the lunchtime bounty.

Long-tailed tit, Stretford

Alexandra Park 

It seemed a shame to waste a bright, sunny and bitterly cold day but I didn't much feel like doing an extended ice waddle. It occurred to me that there'll be less ice nearer the city centre so I took a very roundabout route to Alexandra Park in Moss Side. The pavements were nearly clear of ice, the paths in the park were walkable and the scenery was picturesque.

Alexandra Park 

Tufted ducks, Alexandra Park 

The parakeets in the trees were extremely voluble, and also surprisingly difficult to see until they took flight. Most of the lake was frozen so most of the tufted ducks dozed in the patch of water by the play area while the rest joined the mallards, coots, mute swans and thirty-odd black-headed gulls competing with the pigeons and squirrels for the attention of people with bags of bird food.

Alexandra Park Lake

The only downside to the day was my decision to get the bus into Manchester rather than go into Chorlton, my thinking being that I wouldn't have to wait so long for a bus home. It's no fun waiting half an hour for a bus in -4°C, especially when they're supposed to run every ten minutes. I was glad of a pot of tea when I got home.