Clare Weiner writes: Yesterday (June 2nd) we were halfway down Frog Lane walking towards the canal when a Jay landed in the bushes to the left of us, then fluttered down into the ditch and began to bathe. It jumped around and splashed about energetically, then retired to a branch where it preened busily. This was probably to remove parasites such as fleas which had multiplied during nesting, I suspect. The Jay was unconcerned by us watching and trying for photos, and we could admire its beautiful colouring really close to.
