Tuesday 11 June 2019

The shrubbery at the southwest corner at the bridge was full of small birds, some with families to feed. Two pairs of Goldcrests ...


... were there with their young.


The second picture is by Ahmet Amerikali.

The female Coal Tit came down again and again to collect pine nuts for her fledglings.


A young Great Tit got one from its mother.


A Blackcap sang in a tree ...


... and a Wren jumped around nervously when a Magpie perched above it.


On the ground, this strange two-tone grey squirrel appeared.


Ahmet also got a shot of a Robin bathing in a puddle left by yesterday's heavy rain.


One of the Little Owls near the Albert Memorial came out in the usual oak tree.


The pigeon-eating Lesser Black-Backed Gull left his latest kill unattended for a few minutes, and scavenging Carrion Crows bickered over it. His return saw them off at once.


A Great Crested Grebe fished under the algae near the Italian Garden ...


... but it was the young one who got a perch. Another fine picture by Ahmet, and the first record of this young bird catching anything.


The Coots nesting at the bridge had made their nest more comfortable with some fresh leaves.


The weeds growing in the edge of the shrubbery at the northeast corner of the bridge attract geese of all kinds, seeking variety from their diet of grass.


The seven Greylag goslings on the Serpentine gathered themselves into an untidy heap.


There are now two Bar-Headed--Greylag hybrids moulting on the Serpentine.


I wonder why they prefer the Serpentine to their home lake in St James's Park. It gives them more space, anyway.

2 comments:

  1. Who knows what goes around geese's head.

    That Coot looks pleased with herself, as if admiring its handiwork (beakiwork?).

    Well done on the young Grebe! I'm relieved that it is fishing for itself.

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    Replies
    1. The young grebe is probably still dependent on its parents, at least to some extent. I heard it begging the previous day. When they finally stop feeding it a dangerous time begins, and many young birds don't catch enough and starve.

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