Friday 16 May 2014

The three Tawny owlets were neatly lined up on the lime tree where they have spent the past few days.


Their mother had flown out during the morning. We thought she might be hunting for mice for the owlets, as she has already twice been seen feeding them during the daytime. But she didn't come back, and quite likely she had gone to sleep on another tree to avoid being bothered by them. Their father is also keeping well out of the way during the day, and has not been seen since the Saturday before last.

Paul Turner got a good view and a fine picture of one of the Hobbies.


There are two flying from their usual day perch in the plane tree avenue near the Physical Energy statue.

The first young Starlings have emerged from their nests. There was a noisy brood in the shrubbery behind the Lido, shouting to be fed.


All the Herring Gulls seem to have learnt the art of catching crayfish, diving into the shallow water at the edge of the lake to take them. But that leaves the gulls with the problem of eating them. They shake the crayfish violently until it begins to come apart, and then peck through the cracks on the soft underside.


This Heron was landing on a post near Peter Pan, using its large untidy wings as a parachute to make a pinpoint touchdown.


The reed rafts at the east end of the Serpentine, which were moored in a neat row, have dragged their anchors, which are just bags of stones, and have drifted inshore. They are already colonised by geese, ducks and other birds, ignoring the bird scarers and shiny tape. Here a Moorhen preens itself on the edge of the netting.


Near Rudolf Steiner's bench overlooking the Long Water, a rabbit was looking for tasty herbs.


1 comment:

  1. Just got back from being pushed to the new owl (lime) tree. We had a good view of Mrs T but could not locate the chicks in the failing light. Please congratulate Paul on discovering them and also for his excellent study of the Hobby in today's blog.

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