There are two singing Reed Warblers, on on the Long Water near the bridge, the other right at the bottom end of the Serpentine in the reeds south of the outflow.

The Coots in the Italian Garden pond have lost all their chicks, though as far as I can see there was never more than one alive at any one time. No eggs were left in the nest of the original seven. This is the work of gulls; the Coots were well protected from other predators, as the water is too deep for Grey Herons and they are out of the reach of humans. They showed no inclination to leave the nest. If earlier years are a precedent, they will start again soon.

I went to the embassies to check on the House Martins. Again, plenty of activity on the Kuwaiti embassy and none on the French. Are the birds ever going to reoccupy what used to be their favourite place?

At the Lido restaurant there was a rather beautiful blond young Starling. I wonder whether it will turn the usual dark colour when it grows up.

Another young Starling was being literally spoon fed by a diner.

There is room for only a few Starling nests in the bandstand on Buck Hill, since the attempt to block up the eaves has left only a few holes. Here a bird performs a difficult landing to get into a downward-facing hole.

Other Starlings have nested in holes in nearby trees, and there was a sound of loud scolding from several birds. After a while a Mapgpie and a Carrion Crow came out, defeated by the harassment, and flew some distance away.

I went to the Round Pond, which was whirling with Swifts and House Martins. The ten young Egyptian Geese were in good order, diving busily to pick algae off the bottom of the pond. There was also a young Pied Wagtail foraging on its own, with no parent in sight.