Monday 21 August 2017

The notorious Lesser Black-Backed Gull had just caught a pigeon on the edge of the Serpentine and was killing it in the water. His mate waited for him to finish, then they both started eating the unfortunate victim.


There are more Cormorants on the lake. Six of them were on on the posts at the Serpentine island.


One of the Great Crested Grebe chicks was begging for food. It approached its father half submerged, and then dived, as if encouraging him to go down and find a fish.


A Moorhen in the Italian Garden had three very new chicks, which were walking on the waterlily leaves under the fountain.


The Moorhen is still on the Coot nest in the boathouse, but hasn't laid any eggs. This is just as well, as it's unlikely that any chicks would survive in this unsuitable place on a platform that they can't get up to from the water.


One of the Bar-Headed Geese from St James's Park is visiting us. It was on the Round Pond two days ago, and has now moved down to the Serpentine.


The Black Swan was on the shore at the Lido, but saw some Mute Swan cygnets on the other side of the lake and came over. Their father shooed him off.


The female Little Owl near the Albert Memorial was at the back of the hole in the oak tree, hard to see in the shadows on a dim morning.


The female owl near the leaf yard was also visible. This picture was taken from under the chestnut tree looking out.


A Wood Pigeon was eating berries in a cotoneaster bush near the Serpentine bridge.


Paul took this good picture of a Wren crossing the top of the waterfall in the Dell.


The Robins are singing again after their summer break, as the pairs split up and they claim their individual territories.


On the Vista, two Magpies were very interested in a bit of tree branch. It looked rotten, and was probably full of insects.

2 comments:

  1. Cheery lovely robin! They're not singing here yet. No one sings or even chirps in the middle of the inferno that is the high Spanish summer.

    There is a family of magpies foraging on the ground in a park I must cross daily now. When I'm wearing sunglasses they will allow me to get so close to them I can't believe my luck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a man in the park who feeds Magpies. They perch on him waiting for service. The sunglasses trick would be useful for the birds that most hate being stared at, such as Jackdaws and Green Woodpeckers. Usually I hold my camera in front of my face, or advance while looking to one side.

      Delete