Wednesday 1 June 2016

Here's the first picture of one of the Little owlets, taken by Chu yesterday. Both were looking out of the nest hole, but one went back in as he raised his camera.


Today only the male adult was to be seen, staring down angrily as three Magpies arrived in his tree to annoy him.


There is another new family. The Mute Swans who nested on the raft at the east end of the Serpentine have three cygnets.




The Great Crested Grebe chick from the Serpentine island could be seen today. As usual, the parent carrying it is waiting next to the moored electric boat.


The young Grey Heron on the island was back in the nest, stretching its huge wings. It is almost as big as an adult now.


The Mandarins at the bridge still have their duckling, and the mother is sensibly keeping it close.


One of the young Pied Wagtails was searching for insects at the Lido restaurant.


Although the staff are very quick to clear tables to avoid unwanted visist from Feral Pigeons and Starlings, people inevitably drop crumbs on the terrace. Crumbs attract insects, and insects attract wagtails.

A young Wren beside the Long Water was begging loudly for food. It is as big as an adult and is making just as much noise.


The Black Swan was in the middle of the Serpentine, but came over at once to be fed, followed by his girlfriend.


There were a lot of Swifts on the lake, some of them flying low over the water. This allows them to be photographed from above, by looking down from the bridge.


The pair of Mallards with a Tufted Duck that follows them around are a familiar sight on the Serpentine near the bridge, but today they were on the lawn on the east side of the Albert Memorial.

5 comments:

  1. So many little ones! Is it possible to tell at this stage what gender the Mandarin duckling is?

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    Replies
    1. Technically, I'm sure it is. But let's leave it alone and, if its survives, see what happens next year.

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    2. I was thinking colour wise, but yes, let's hope it survives!

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  2. That Wren picture is delightful. You can almost hear the bird.

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    Replies
    1. You certainly could if you were there. I don't know whether Wrens have the highest volume to weight ratio. Cetti's Warblers are only a little larger, and absolutely deafening.

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