Another pair of Mute Swans have hatched cygnets -- or at any rate one cygnet, as the mother was still sitting on some eggs as this brand new arrival toddled unsteadily around her.

This is the nest in the enclosure at the east end of the Serpentine, which has recently been acting as a nursery for a brood of Egyptian Geese.

I went to photograph the Reed Warbler in the reeds near the Diana fountain and, while I couldn't hope to match yesterday's picture by Paul Sawford, I did get one of him singing.

Shortly afterwards, three Reed Warblers shot out of the top of the reed bed and dived back in a few yards farther along. There was a report earlier today in the London Bird Club Wiki by David Jeffreys of three Reed Warblers singing in this reed bed, and I have heard three singing in different places a few days ago. Probably there are some females with them, so we are well stocked with Reed Warblers this year. It is probably due to the surviving reed beds having grown to a reasonable size and density. It would be good if the many parts where the reeds have died could be replanted, but this is expensive and the park management has other priorities.

The two Common Terns were still on the Long Water, with the male busily circling over the area between Peter Pan and the Italian Garden. I tries to get a picture of him whizzing past the Italian Garden, but couldn't keep up with his speed. It is easier to catch him feeding his mate, as you can focus on her and wait till he turns up and conveniently hovers.

This blog is supposed to be about the wild birds in the park, but I couldn't resist taking a picture when a couple turned up each with a gorgeous Hyacinth Macaw on their shoulder.

They were wearing gloves, a necessary precaution as the birds enjoyed swinging from their fingers while gripping them with their enormous black beaks. Hyacinth Macaws are gravely endangered in the wild, and there is controversy about people taking them as pets; but it is better to be a pet than to be shot, and the birds seemed happy and in good condition. This one came and chewed my knee gently while I was taking a picture.

Still plenty of Swifts, and the House Martins' nests on the embassies are constantly visited. I didn't have time to count nests, which takes half an hour of watching; but there are certainly more than last year.