The Shag breeding season is going well, with some nests holding an impressive 4 eggs (3 seems to be the most common clutch size here). It has been a lot easier to see into the nests today, as instead of sitting tight and incubating the eggs to keep them warm, the adult birds have been standing over the nests, shading them and keeping the eggs cool in this warm weather. The bird in the picture also has its beak open and is panting to try and keep itself cool. Lizy

Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) shading eggs from afternoon sun