Walton Street crows

We went to Walton Street market and car boot sale this morning and I couldn't help but notice the crowds of Carrion Crows. At least 50 individuals were about, on van and car roofs, atop flood lights,

 and walking amongst the huge puddles left by yesterday's rain.
Some patrolled just over the paths, elaborately flying slowly, sometimes almost hovering - in black-headed gull style - scouring the ground.

Soon it became apparent what they were after. No, they weren't hunting for antique bargains, but taking advantage from the fast food bonanza that inevitably follows human crowds.

Crow on roof van. 

A starling passed too close and made him jump

I missed the wing tip in the phot, but I like the shadow of the crow

I watched as one individual landed on the roof of a van, triumphantly holding half a hot dog sausage in its bill.

The remainder of the hot dog was being dealt with a few other crows: a dominant one pushed another aside...

...and quickly picked up the other half of the sausage in its bill, before flying away

while the other, less fortunate crows contented themselves with bread smeared on ketchup.

We associate scavenging behaviour with dirt, rotten food and germs, but I doubt the hot dog had been on the ground longer than the five-second rule allows, before it was cleared up, taken away by the crows.

But, occasionally, the bin man gets there first. Crows watched him picking a paper bag...

...but leaving some food behind, which was quickly dispatched

There were many gulls and starlings about, but I didn't see them take advantage of the market food. Crows appeared bolder, and cheekier than in other places, maybe they are all locals used to take advantage of the markets - and Hull Fair - and are used to people. This one spent some time checking itself out in the wing mirror of a car.

The it jumped to the roof and spent some time watching from this vantage point.It allowed me to approach close enough for a portrait (top shot)

 After filling their tummies, some crows took turns in the puddles for a bath.

Communal bathing

Yawning is known to be contagious in primates, but having a good bath is something birds often will do in company. As soon as one starts, others nearby, often of the same species, will copy. Bathing washes and cleans feathers, and afterwards, the bird dries up by shaking tail, wings, body and head and then proceeds to oils the feathers by spreading over them a secretion produced by a gland above its tail. A few days ago, I watched these Mallards bathing and preening in sequence with some enthusiasm, today it was some Great Black Backed Gulls, the Sparrows in my garden often do it as well.
Male Mallards have good reason to keep their feathers in top condition, as they will be already paired or looking for a partner at this time of year. Maybe bathing is also an opportunity for showing off.