Tuesday 7 May 2019

A Mallard on the Serpentine near the bridge has three ducklings. This is not a bad place for them, as they can shelter from gulls under the bridge.


But there are other hazards. First a drake grabbed her and tried to mate, and no sooner had she escaped than a Carrion Crow tried to seize a duckling. She successfully chased the crow away.


There were a male ...


... and a female Pochard at the island.


The eldest Egyptian gosling is beginning to replace its juvenile down with proper feathers.


One of the broods of three sprawled in that negligent way that Egyptians have.


The Great Crested Grebe chick on the Long Water couldn't quite manage to swallow this fish, so the parent ate it instead.


A Coot preened on the submerged wall of the old water filter below the Italian Garden.


A year-old Grey Heron from the nest on the northeast corner of the island was on the wire baskets under its nest, gazing into a gap where a fish might emerge.


Herring Gulls hung around one of the air bubblers in the Serpentine. I don't think they're just enjoying the jacuzzi effect -- the bubbles must be bringing up some small edible creatures.


One of the singing Reed Warblers hidden in the reed bed by the Diana fountain emerged for a few seconds.


A Pied Wagtail ran around beside the Round Pond.


A Blackcap sang near the Italian Garden.


Both the Mistle Thrushes near the Dell were out on the grass. If you stand still, they may come quite near.


A large number of Carrion Crows have been attracted to the grass beside the leaf yard by the people feeding the Rose-Ringed Parakeets there. They jostle around in a disorderly way and try to snatch food.


A Little Owl could be seen in the usual oak tree near the Albert Memorial. This is the female, not seen recently. I thought she was nesting, and indeed she may be but had just come out to stretch her wings.


Two fox cubs were running around in the woodland on the east side of the Long Water. One of them peered at me between the leaves for a moment before dashing away.

2 comments:

  1. What a brave, courageous mother, that female Mallard!

    The Mistle Thrush is a great example of dazzle camouflage.

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    Replies
    1. If only Mistle Thrushes were equally good at hiding their nests. Seeing both on the ground makes make worry that their third nest this year has been predated again.

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