Saturday 15 November 2014

The rowan trees of Buck Hill have all been denuded of fruit except one, which remains thickly laden. Perhaps the berries ripened later on this tree than the others. Whatever happened, they are now palatable to many Blackbirds ...


... and Mistle Thrushes ...


which visited the tree in a constant stream. The Mistle Thrushes were also foraging for worms in the grass on Buck Hill, and flying to and from the tall trees at the south end, which is where they usually congregate between foraging expeditions.

The fallen horse chestnut tree in the Long Water was also heavily laden with Black-Headed Gulls, evicted from the nearby wooden posts by numerous Cormorants.


One of the young Great Crested Grebes on the Long Water was having a good stretch.


It had rained in the early morning, and a pair of Feral Pigeons were bathing in a puddle behind the Albert Memorial, ignoring the passing Saturday crowds.


Two Jackdaws were also flying around in this area. They are becoming less wary of people, and both came down promptly to take peanuts thrown on the ground.

The female Little Owl was in the tree next to the pair's nest tree, looking elegant against a background of yellow leaves.


The female Tawny Owl was in her usual place in the beech tree, having a peaceful doze for once uninterrupted by Magpies and Jays.


At the bottom of the Tawnies' nest tree, a Ring-Necked Parakeet was climbing into the rather small hole taken over from a pair of nesting Starlings.


One they squeeze through there is plenty of room inside, as the tree is hollow from top to bottom. Evidently they are using this space as a winter refuge.

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