tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post2328308693514907584..comments2024-03-27T19:59:10.159+00:00Comments on Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park birds: Ralph Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-58419115200541605462018-05-11T16:00:15.183+01:002018-05-11T16:00:15.183+01:00One of my lifelong aspirations is to one day be ab...One of my lifelong aspirations is to one day be able to do <a href="https://i.redditmedia.com/PQkja_cqd-_UjlQXgCPd3xSYOumSn2oWzHQwTYwticA.jpg?s=1aa197ffbb5c951bbc3bd7fe2751707d" rel="nofollow">this!</a>Tinúvielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04794275230697959519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-87867902095595750002018-05-11T01:52:09.776+01:002018-05-11T01:52:09.776+01:00I'd guess it was chased in on foot by an attac...I'd guess it was chased in on foot by an attack from the local dominant male swan near the landing stage.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-1398143831357734322018-05-10T23:49:45.925+01:002018-05-10T23:49:45.925+01:00A couple of weeks ago some Australian tourists hel...A couple of weeks ago some Australian tourists helped me guide a mute swan out of the Diana fountain enclosure – it had been pacing to and fro along the railings seeing the lake but unable to find a way through. I wonder if it’s the same one going on adventures? Most baffling is how it managed to land on a tiny area of grass in the adjacent enclosed patch where it had first been located.Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10529596094957534682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-6544237770858583322018-05-10T23:35:36.337+01:002018-05-10T23:35:36.337+01:00I've never seen one getting out of one those p...I've never seen one getting out of one those ponds, but have often seen that they have moved from one to another. I think the duckboards are two narrow for their ponderous waddle anyway.<br /><br />Often swans in the Italian Garden are caught by the Wildlife Officer, strapped into a straitjacket, and carted off to the main lake. But, it seems, not always. Hope that they are one by one learning that landing in one of those pools, too short for a takeoff run, will cost them a long and painful hike or ignominious capture.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-55671972727196881552018-05-10T22:04:31.409+01:002018-05-10T22:04:31.409+01:00Some months ago I saw a Mute Swan in one of the po...Some months ago I saw a Mute Swan in one of the ponds in the Italian Garden; I really thought it might be stuck- the ledge seemed quite steep, no duck board, pond not long enough for swan lift-off. It was late afternoon, I even tried to call the park office, but too late (they go home punctually at 5 p.m.?), and I could not lift a swan. When we came by a little later, it had gotten out of the water and was blithely popping into the next pond. So much for my worrying. (Can't remember if I told this tale already; if so, please delete)Ulrikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06022985141813875238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-63011514562295010442018-05-10T20:28:56.680+01:002018-05-10T20:28:56.680+01:00Tom and I were worried about that Wren. But there&...Tom and I were worried about that Wren. But there's not much you can do.<br /><br />Feeding your babies bees seems a bit odd. I'm pretty sure it was a bee and not a hoverfly, as the original photograph clearly showed bee-type antennae.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-39348454166033727462018-05-10T20:10:28.914+01:002018-05-10T20:10:28.914+01:00Great pictures from Rainham Marshes (love, love th...Great pictures from Rainham Marshes (love, love the Reed Bunting)! They are always a welcome addition. That Wren looks too listless, even for anting. Poor thing.<br /><br />Thank God you helped out that poor Swan. It looked to be in a lot of pain from walking on the tarmac. They are so large and heavy getting airborne to cover the distance is out of the question. Did it allow itself to be carried without fuss? I am sure it knew you were a friend.<br /><br />Great Tits are deceivingly cute, with their vivid colours, their funny calls, their brawly behaviour, and their cheek and sass. What they truly are, though? So many cute killers.Tinúvielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04794275230697959519noreply@blogger.com