Sunday 8 February 2015

The Scaup has left the Round Pond. He may be on the Serpentine, though I didn't see him, or he may have recollected where he was trying to go and has gone there.

But there was plenty to see on a sunny day. One of the Little Grebes was resting under the dead willow tree near the Italian Garden, hard to photograph through the twigs and this is the only completely unobstructed view I got.


The Little Owl was looking out of the hole in the oak tree.


When I came back later with Mario to show him the tree, the owl obligingly came out again.

The male Tawny Owl was in his usual place by 3.30.


And there were eight Redwings on the patch of leafmould under the plane trees on the path near the Speke obelisk.


Nearby a piece of bread was lying in the grass. A Magpie and a Wood Pigeon were both heading for it when a Jackdaw whizzed in and grabbed it. It is unusual to beat a Magpie at a quick snatch, and the foiled bird worked off its annoyance by poking furiously in the grass for a worm.


The pair of Starlings who own the nest hole in the Tawny Owls' tree were perched on a bramble stem, looking fine in the sunlight.


A Mute Swan was asleep next to the Dell restaurant, looking like a huge meringue.


Blue Tits are so common that it is easy to forget what bright little birds they are. Compared to the sober colours of most British birds they look quite tropical.


Update: Joe Beale saw the Scaup on the Serpentine about midday. Wendy, who runs the Wino Wendy's Wildlife World blog, was in the park today and we had a brief natter. She has written about her visit, with some good pictures, here.

8 comments:

  1. Such charmers here. The Little Grebe of course, its tiny head nestling in small bed of fluffy plumage; and that extraordinary swan - I have never seen a photo of a swan asleep - at Henley they are all bright eyed and alert, waiting for the next helping of sun-dried ciabatta from the locals!

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    1. It's the current, I suppose. If they go to sleep they get carried downstream. They must rest in a backwater somewhere.

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    2. Do you mean they float on the water like that? I thought that swan you photographed must be on dry land...now I am not so sure!

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    3. Yes, it's floating – hence the reflection.

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    4. Astonishing photo. Do you ever publish your work?

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  2. The Scaup was definitely on the Serpentine around midday today, consorting with Tufteds. I was hoping for the kind of views you had yesterday when it was at the Round Pond, but it was still nice to see!

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    1. Thanks for the information. Will keep an eye out for it.

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