I soooo needed this !!

My husband called me to the window. He had spotted Matilda, having some RnR. enjoying a "standing wash " as my Great Aunt used to call it.

Matilda, thirsty again, had found an old plant trough full of rainwater. She sank her head in deep and then stretched up high swallowing, finally smacking her bill in satisfaction. These gulps were interspersed with dainty little sips and then the next mouthful was squirted over her back as she began a long preening session. This sequence continued until, satisfied with the cleanliness of her back, she began on her belly. Now she really put some 'welly' into it: scrubbing, spraying , biting, even using her feet when her bill couldn't reach the itch.... Sitting on eggs is obviously a hot sweaty business!

The ever watchful Matilda sensed something and, as we still watched through the window, did a swift about-turn, raised her wings and flew like a rocket towards the nest. Once over it she just dropped, using her spread wings as a parachute to soften her landing. Seconds later she was invisible in the undergrowth, just a shiny eye peeping out, if you knew where to look.