Sunbathing

I don't think so. There was no sun at this point in time but it was hot and humid
I think because they are black the absorb the heat of the sun and there fore need to vent in order to cont role parasites as well.
But that is my guess as I have seen Robins do this too . I'm sure it is to cool off and some thing to do with mites

LOL, the second photo looks like he's saying, "Oy you, can't a bird get any privacy?". :-rofl

Interesting behaviour Beryl as they usually spread their wings whilst laying flat out on their bellies when sunbathing. I suppose it was OK......did you see it fly at all ?

Pete.

Yes. They do I was waitung for it too spread it's wings and tail. I took quite a few photos and then switched to macro as it was way across the brook. some peeps came along and it flew in to the trees behind.
Unfortunately the shave the sides of the brook down to the mud and any thing nesting like blackbirds wrens and Robins goes with it so all the birds are nervous.
This is a seaside town and only the visitors matter.


Have some video footag too. will upload it later

Sounds like the local authorities need to have a letter about this 'trimming' business in the middle of the breeding season. I once made a re-visit to an area near home to photograph a rare plant only to find they had been over the grass verge with their mowers, the grass was of course neat and tidy but the plant (Sand Leek) had disappeared off the face of the earth.

Pete.

Some one has. I went today to find just a small area along the to trimmed.
Makes me so cross. They are always talking about this and that for wildlife but it's just talk