Monday 24 April 2017

A Reed Warbler was singing, both in a bush on the east side of the Long Water and, later, in the reeds on the west side near the bridge. It may have been the same one, of course.


Both Grey Wagtails were hunting insects near the Diana fountain landing stage.


A Goldcrest ...


... and a Wren sang in the Dell.


On the grass to the east, the usual Mistle Thrush ...


... was joined by a Song Thrush. Note the difference in the shape of the spots.


The white-faced Blackbird near the Italian Garden came out for her daily treat of sultanas.


A pair of Dunnocks were hopping around in the shrubbery at the southwest corner of the bridge.


A Green Woodpecker called derisively from a tree near Physical Energy.


Virginia reports that the Egyptian Geese who had goslings on the Round Pond are nesting again, in the usual oak tree north of the pond. This is her fine picture of the female about to fly out of the nest.


The goslings now have to fend for themselves. When this happened last year, relations between the two broods were hostile, and one of the elder ones killed one of its little siblings. This is in contrast to Moorhens, whose elder chicks feed the younger ones.

Update: I've just heard that there are now only three goslings left.

This is the first picture I've been able to get of eggs in the Mute Swans' nest on the little island in the Long Water. It's not clear, but I can make out four. Someone who got a better view told me there were five.


The silly Coots are now nesting in the boathouse again. They do this every year, and the chicks fall off the platform and can't get up again.


I should have expected this Great Crested Grebe to support Barcelona. Look how Messi its nest is.


Thanks to Dan and Al Junior for identifying the club -- I was confused by the St George's cross, thought it was English, and couldn't find it.

Someone was throwing bits of cheese to a Grey Heron at Peter Pan. Despite a balletic leap, it missed this chunk.


The Little Owl near the leaf yard came out of his hole and perched in several places on the tree.

4 comments:

  1. Herons are graceful even when they look awkward. Miraculous, that.

    Speaking of Herons, I just read that a Great Blue Heron was observed spearing and then (after much convoluted toil) swallowing an Atlantic Stingray, all 60s cms of it.

    So we have a culé (that is, a supporter of the FC Barcelona) Great Crested Grebe. Is that a football?

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    1. Great Blue Herons are a bit bigger than our Grey Herons, but even so it seems like a heroic meal.

      That is a full-size football, though of a plasticky touristy kind as sold by souvenir shops.

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  2. I'm sure I heard a Cetti's Warbler song burst out twice yesterday, along the Serpentine just to the west of the road bridge.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, there's been one there for a couple of years. Please put comments on the latest blog post. Otherwise no one will see them.

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