THIS peacock was strutting his stuff for female companions at the Harcourt Arboretum.

The colourful creatures fan out their feathers in a ritual to attract a mate.

Mating season is well under way. Every peacock has a distinct pattern of colours and “eyespots” on his plumage, which females – known as peahens – judge when they choose who to mate with. Peacocks have inhabited the 130-acre arboretum for many years and the main entrance is called Peacock Gate.

The garden, near Nuneham Courtenay, has been owned and run by Oxford University since 1963 and contains some of the oldest redwood tree species in the UK.

It is open throughout the year and current seasonal highlights include bluebells.