tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post1676604196576003914..comments2024-03-19T09:23:36.864+00:00Comments on Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park birds: Ralph Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-53634831488474496282016-09-15T20:33:37.948+01:002016-09-15T20:33:37.948+01:00Give them time...Give them time...Tinúvielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04794275230697959519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-32759071698204793972016-09-15T20:25:41.755+01:002016-09-15T20:25:41.755+01:00It now turns out to be a Brown-Tail moth, similar ...It now turns out to be a Brown-Tail moth, similar to the Oak Processionary moth in both its appearance and the symptoms it causes, though these are not as severe. The Tussock moth seems to have frivolous little tufts in addition to the hairs. I wouldn't let this creature walk on my finger. Too many hairy caterpillars have irritant hairs.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-10013915314981001712016-09-15T20:22:24.360+01:002016-09-15T20:22:24.360+01:00I always go right round the lake. I might miss him...I always go right round the lake. I might miss him on one day, but not on several successive days.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-9583456912226650732016-09-15T20:21:27.310+01:002016-09-15T20:21:27.310+01:00Macramé.Macramé.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-85649361054244369052016-09-15T20:20:57.670+01:002016-09-15T20:20:57.670+01:00I have several pictures taken in autumn, and the g...I have several pictures taken in autumn, and the gull's legs don't fade. The yellow colour is caused by the carotene pigment astaxanthin, absorbed from the gull's victims, and is not a seasonal thing.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-43347881876513487312016-09-15T20:16:15.920+01:002016-09-15T20:16:15.920+01:00I meant that they leave the baskets and go into th...I meant that they leave the baskets and go into the open lake.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-25452036734581539672016-09-15T20:15:42.924+01:002016-09-15T20:15:42.924+01:00I went this afternoon and couldn't find his, t...I went this afternoon and couldn't find his, though this proves nothing. Will try St James's Park when I have time. NB there is a pair of captive Black Swans in Regent's Park and one widowed Black Swan in St James's.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-8127585452281991172016-09-15T18:56:10.138+01:002016-09-15T18:56:10.138+01:00https://flic.kr/p/bUAH4Mhttps://flic.kr/p/bUAH4MJohanna van de Woestijnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16045404955308369929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-63778147959462177102016-09-15T18:55:16.045+01:002016-09-15T18:55:16.045+01:00As to the caterpillar, it looked similar to one th...As to the caterpillar, it looked similar to one that we find sometimes on the Stanford U campus, which we call Tussock moth. It too is extremely irritating in a secondary sense, such as the sand found under the trees. I am guessing it is the bristles or spines too. Johanna van de Woestijnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16045404955308369929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-14880846184550796302016-09-15T18:43:23.405+01:002016-09-15T18:43:23.405+01:00As to the Lesser black-backed gull with the feral ...As to the Lesser black-backed gull with the feral pigeon kill, I took a good look at the pigeon as I went by, and it was definitely very freshly killed. My photos too, show the legs as NOT brightly colored, which is characteristic of the usual pigeon killing gull in that area. BUT, do you have any photos of the pigeon killing gull from last year during September? Could the leg color (pale now) be a seasonal thing? Optional theory, this could be a young off-spring gull of the pigeon-killing gull, enjoying the left over benefits...Johanna van de Woestijnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16045404955308369929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-79624673179434574542016-09-15T18:39:03.477+01:002016-09-15T18:39:03.477+01:00Despite the predicted rain, I think I'll take ...Despite the predicted rain, I think I'll take a walk over to Regents Park tomorrow morning. I'll let you know if I see a young black swan, but maybe I could be mixing him up with others. You may have to do a biscuit offering test on any black swans found.Johanna van de Woestijnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16045404955308369929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-24921607785574095702016-09-15T18:35:54.331+01:002016-09-15T18:35:54.331+01:00Ralph, when you say the Perch leave, how can they ...Ralph, when you say the Perch leave, how can they leave?<br />Johanna van de Woestijnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16045404955308369929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-2121676648651166692016-09-15T18:00:14.351+01:002016-09-15T18:00:14.351+01:00was by the DEll restaurant today. had a good look ...was by the DEll restaurant today. had a good look round. no sign of our Black Swan. hope he hasn't been kidnapped??<br />Mark W2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-67695521901744424512016-09-15T12:13:39.597+01:002016-09-15T12:13:39.597+01:00Please Black Swan, come back...
In other news, th...Please Black Swan, come back...<br /><br />In other news, the pigeon-killing Gull appears to have become a successful teacher of its deadly craft. Is there anything Gulls are no good at?Tinúvielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04794275230697959519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-33112698094363997352016-09-15T10:40:30.747+01:002016-09-15T10:40:30.747+01:00It is possible that the black swan is by the Dell ...It is possible that the black swan is by the Dell Cafe, there are reef beds and he used to hide in those before he discovered the other end of the lake. I had a look in the Long Water this morning and no signs of him but not looked by the Dell. It might be worth having a look.Jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17272976401562348863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-24916933109020640722016-09-15T00:39:12.994+01:002016-09-15T00:39:12.994+01:00We're all hoping to see him again. As I said i...We're all hoping to see him again. As I said in Wednesday's blog, if he doesn't turn up soon I'll check Regents' Park.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-15167846473678827112016-09-15T00:37:53.906+01:002016-09-15T00:37:53.906+01:00It's partly the time of year. Perch hatch here...It's partly the time of year. Perch hatch here, grow a bit, and leave when they're larger. This was perceptible, and both Great Crested Grebes and Cormorants were visiting earlier. Nevertheless, traffic is down. I think the twigs need renewing.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-63475833859922442302016-09-14T23:56:24.350+01:002016-09-14T23:56:24.350+01:00The baskets near the bridge that have been a rich ...The baskets near the bridge that have been a rich source of food for the grebe families in recent years seem to have failed this time round. It was the perfect place to watch their impressive skills. I wonder what kept the fish away from the baskets this year? Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10529596094957534682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-60846204826960766052016-09-14T23:22:29.655+01:002016-09-14T23:22:29.655+01:00Reading your blog from Canada and hoping that the ...Reading your blog from Canada and hoping that the Black Swan has come to no harm. On tenterhooks and looking forward to seeing more news in the next few days. Feels like I'm watching a TV series cliff-hanger. We ALL want a positive outcome to his sudden disappearance.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00188195367809501013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-66408850631774184742016-09-14T22:12:39.300+01:002016-09-14T22:12:39.300+01:00I hope the Black Swan is safe and soundI hope the Black Swan is safe and soundIan Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07805150608243315063noreply@blogger.com