Sunday 8 October 2017

The Little Grebe is still on the Round Pond. It had moved to the opposite side ...


... because there was a Grey Heron on the platform with the solar panel, where it usually stays.


The Great Crested Grebe chicks are still pestering their parents incessantly.


They always get fed.


There were at least 30 Cormorants on the lake, including nearly a full house on the posts near Peter Pan.


The Black Swan has become very fond of ordinary birdseed of the kind for putting into feeders for small birds. It's probably good for him.


The Mallard drakes need to look after their fine new plumage.


A pair of Carrion Crows found a bin full of delicious leavings near the Rose Garden. They carefully picked out the bits of meat from a chicken and bacon salad. Crows are not fond of lettuce.


A flock of Long-Tailed Tits passed through the nearby trees.


A Blackbird in the Dell was bathing in a puddle left by last night's rain.


In the rowan trees on Buck Hill, there were only Blackbirds. The Mistle Thrushes seem to have found some other attraction.


The yew tree next to the bridge had a Goldcrest ...


... and a pair of Coal Tits in it.


It's a very convenient place for photographs, because you can look into the top of the tree from the bridge.

7 comments:

  1. Hi Ralph, thanks for the yew tree tip and great photos.
    I don't suppose you can help me identify Fungi, as I'm really not good with them and found one today, thanks. wildthingsandwings.blogspot.co.uk
    Regards
    Arjun

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    Replies
    1. Very difficult to tell from a picture where the underside is in deep shadow, so you can't see colour or detail. Have a look at this identification page. My guess would be Ganoderma applanatum or another member of the genus turned dark with age.

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    2. If you want to learn about fungi, every Monday evening until the end of next month (from 17.00pm to 20.00pm) there is an identification meeting at the South London Botanical Institute (SLBI) not far from Tulse Hill Station. It's open to everyone, and there are always lots of fungi to see!
      Mario

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  2. The Little Grebe is wise to keep well away from the Heron as they do occasionally have them for a snack!

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    Replies
    1. It comes from Regent's Park where Grey Herons are numerous. It knows.

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  3. That Gull is clearly a dissenter.

    Funny how it's a Coot (who else?) who dares to come nearer to the Black Swan in the clip to steal food. All the pigeons keep their distance.

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    Replies
    1. The Coot only appears in the clip for a fraction of a second, but yes, it was definitely hanging around looking for its chance.

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