Saturday 2 August 2014

The Great Crested Grebes with three chicks were feeding them near the west end of the island, some distance from their nest which is at the east end. This had brought them into the territory of another pair of grebes, and there was a dispute. The mother of the chicks is on the left here.


Their father also advanced carrying the chicks which, under the rules of these contests, gave him a moral advantage. The quarrel reached stalemate, and the parents went back to their end of the island.


Meanwhile, at the east end of the Serpentine, all was harmony as the parents fed their two chicks with little fish.


There was another dispute in one of the Italian Garden ponds, as a Mallard ducking chased a young Moorhen away from some food that they were being given.


The Little Owl was in his usual place.


Soon after I had taken the usual picture, a Hobby flew overhead.


It was headed for the tall basswood tree north of the Physical Energy statue, a favourite perch, but I couldn't find it when I went over there. (Update: Jim says it's a Kestrel, and I think he's right -- no wonder I couldn't find it in the Hobbies' tree.)

The Common Tern was still on the Long Water, on the posts offshore from Peter Pan. It was flanked by two Cormorants, which made it look tiny in comparison.


Three female Red Crested Pochards were washing themselves vigorously at the Serpentine island.


They rinse themselves by rushing forward and then diving, surfacing several yards away. Looking at these large placid ducks, it is hard to remember that they are quite high-powered divers.

2 comments:

  1. Hello Ralph. First of all I'd like to say thank you for your blog, which I follow on an almost daily basis, as it is a fascinating insight into the wide range of wildlife within the centre of London. Your photographs are also great and indeed it was after reading this blog that I decided to visit the Gardens and Park myself because until then I had no idea of the diverse nature of the envirnonment. One small comment if I may; I'm pretty sure that the picture above of "a Hobby flew overhead" is in fact a Kestrel - still a good bird to see any day. All the best and I look forward to keeping up to date with your blog. Jim

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    1. Thanks for information. Think you're right. I always expect a small falcon in the park to be a Hobby because we have resident ones, and Kestrels are only visitors.

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