Sunday 17 January 2016

The Song Thrush in the leaf yard often sings in winter, but usually only on sunny days. But today his song cheered up the grey chill with snow melting on the ground.


A lot of very hungry tits poured out of the leaf yard to be fed. This Blue Tit was kind enough to pose for a moment before it took its food.


There was a Goldcrest on the other side of the Long Water, in the yew tree just to the north of the Henry Moore sculpture.


A young Cormorant, still with a pale front, was standing in an odd position on the fallen horse chestnut tree with one foot on top of the other. Perhaps this helps to conserve heat.


One of the Little Grebes could be seen in the usual place at the north end of the Long Water.


I really think this must be a different pair of Little Grebes from the one we have seen very infrequently. They seem much less furtive, and have been in much the same place for several days.

There are still plenty of Shovellers on the Long Water.


A pair of Moorhens were picking their way round the edge of the marble fountain in the Italian Gardens.


Yes, it is marble. It is cleaned at intervals and is shining white for a couple of days, and then the normal slime grows back.

The Grey Herons' nest on the island is still occupied, and has been built up slightly. The birds have no intention of actually nesting yet -- and no wonder -- but it makes a good place to stand and watch for possible food, perhaps brought by the woman who gives them pieces of raw meat.


Another heron had seen someone with a bag of food and flew over to the Lido.


As soon as a gull gets a bit, it's chased by the others.


The front one, with the food, is a Black-Headed Gull, and the one in number three position is also a Black-Headed Gull, a young one in tweedy plumage with a black-tipped tail. The others are Common Gulls, with the distinctive white 'window' on their black wingtips.

I couldn't find the Black Swan, though I went round the lake twice, and to the Round Pond, and even visited Regent's Park. He was probably just behind a moored boat.

2 comments:

  1. Do you think the resident Little Grebe has gone then?

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    Replies
    1. Who can say? It might be one of the current pair.

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