Thursday 16 August 2012


Several Great Crested Grebes had moved right to the edge of the Serpentine, and were taking no notice of people passing on the shore, or even stopping and pointing cameras at them.


This was because they were intent on catching small fish swimming in the shallow water next to the edge. The technique for doing this is quite different from a grebe's usual smooth dive followed by fast underwater pursuit. Instead, they paddle about slowly looking under the surface ...


... and when they see something, they make a sudden splashy lunge, barely submerging  and only lasting a few seconds.


You often see young grebes fishing in this way. Evidently it is easier than the normal method used to catch larger fish in deeper water.

The three families of Mute Swans have still not returned from their exile in Egham. I wonder whether they will be brought back at all. They might be better off in a less crowded place; there are definitely too many swans in the park, and most of them are stuck in the confined region of the Round Pond. But it will be sad not to watch the cygnets grow up.

The Lido restaurant is popular with visitors, who can drop in at any time of day.

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