Tuesday 26 July 2016

The tatty Reed Warbler in the reed bed near the bridge had a moment's rest from the endless labour of feeding the chicks.


The Great Crested Grebe on the nest near Peter Pan was sitting with its wings slightly raised, as if there might be a very small chick under them. I couldn't see anything, but usually when their wings are raised enough to allow a glimpse of the white secondary feathers, someting is going on underneath.


This nest can be viewed distantly from Rudolf Steiner's bench.

The Moorhens nesting in the stream in the Dell have decorated their nest with a bit of pink ribbon.


The Black Swan was trying to protect the adopted cygnet while other Mute Swans milled around. One of them chased the cygnet under the landing stage next to the Diana fountain. But the cygnet was still small enough to swim underneath and emerge on the far side.


The Black Swan went round to make sure the cygnet was all right, and then allowed himself a relaxing flap.



Update: Fran just sent me this fine picture of the Black Swan dealing with one of the Mute Swans. He may be a more peaceful bird now, but he hasn't lost his touch.



One of the Canada-Greylag Goose hybrids on the Serpentine has a very peculiar walk. As it moves each foot forward it slides it along the ground before transferring its weight to it. The result is a kind of stealthy waddle.


There were two strongly contrasted Mallards near the Vista. This is the dark drake that I last photographed on 1 July. Now he is in full eclipse.


And here is a pale duck, possibly a light-coloured drake in eclipse rather than a female. The blonde female Mallard on the Serpentine is paler than this.


There were several young Blackbirds in the Dell, now independent of their parents and looking for worms on their own. One was a dull greyish brown, the other strikingly auburn.


Both of the Little owlets near the Albert Memorial were flying from tree to tree and calling to each other.


One of their parents, I think the mother, was with them.


This picture of a bee isn't good, because it it was hopping rapidly around clover flowers. I include it only because I haven't photographed this species before. It's a Red-Tailed Bumblebee, Bombyx lapidarius.

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