GO WILD WITH ERIC PAYLOR

A majestic duck called the pintail has delighted visitors to Middlesbrough's Albert Park recently.

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This fine picture of Albert Park pintail was taken by Bob Howe

(Bob Howe)

This male bird has probably been flightless while he goes through his end of summer moult, and has been happy to mooch around on the waters of the lake. He has probably been supplementing his usual plant and animal diet by joining in the scrap with other ducks for the bread and seed thrown into the water by visitors.

Male pintails are elegant ducks with chocolate brown heads, a white stripe running down their necks, finely barred grey bodies, a cream patch towards their rear ends and, of course, pointed tails.