The Tawny Owl was in much the same place in the nest tree as for the previous two days, looking restless, calling occasionally and scratching himself.

It was an interesting spectacle, but there is still no sign of any progress with owlets.

One of the Little Owls came out in the chestnut tree early this morning but didn't emerge at any time I was going past the tree.

Both Canada and Greylag Geese have now made themselves comfortable on the floating reed beds at the east end of the Serpentine, despite the glittering plastic tape and revolving bird scarers. It doesn't take long for these intelligent birds to work out what is a threat and what isn't.

Also in this area there were some huge carp, the biggest of which must have weighed 25 lb. This is not the largest one, but is a strange pale goldish fish with a prominent forehead. I have occasionally seen it in other parts of the lake in previous years.

I wonder whether it was an ornamental goldfish that someone dumped in the lake because of its ugly face.

A Wood Pigeon flung itself with abandon into the pond at the top of the Dell waterfall to have a bathe.

A male Tufted Duck was standing up as tall as he could to make himself attractive to a female.

And a Great Crested Grebe had contorted its long, flexible neck into an extraordinary attitude to preen its crest by rubbing it along its back.

This manoeuvre is known as 'roll preening' and forms part of the prelude to the courtship dance, though in this case the bird was doing it alone simply because its crest needed attention.