Our research institute recently moved out of the centre of Amsterdam. While I miss the lunch options we used to have, one of the benefits of the new location is the view. My office looks out on a lake (I’m lucky in that; the other sides of the building point at a train track and a construction zone) and quite a lot of land around it has been left to grow wild.

Looking out the window just now I saw a pheasant (!) crossing the road. There’s a shag drying its wings in the distance, a crow (or rook or raven — bearded, in any case) investigating a rubbish bin, and a magnificent goose surveying the lakeside. I should bring my bird guide to the office. (And until I do, no I don’t know what kind of goose it is. Would feed about four or five though is my estimate.)