Sunday 25 January 2015

A Wren was drinking at the little pool at the top of the Dell waterfall. People throw coins into the water, following a very ancient superstition. The Wren was standing over a shiny new penny, which is 20 mm, just over ¾ inch, in diameter.


On a larger scale, some Carrion Crows were drinking and bathing in the Round Pond.


In  the area where the grass was devastated by the funfair, work has already started on laying new topsoil and high-quality sports turf -- apparently it costs half a million every year to do this. A bunch of bold Black-Headed Gulls were following the harrow, searching for worms it had turned up.


I was hoping to see some Redwings in the quieter parts of this fenced-off area, where they often congregate, but so far it hasn't attracted any. There were just various gulls, Carrion Crows, a couple of Pied Wagtails and a flock of Starlings flying about -- all of them after small creatures of one kind or another.


Some Greylag Geese flew down from one of the still grassy parts of the Parade Ground to the Serpentine.


At the Lido, a Great Crested Grebe was fishing among a mob of Black-Headed Gulls. You often see them fishing among other birds, which provide cover. The fish are not worried by gulls or most waterfowl, so the agile predator can dart among them unexpectedly. However, if the grebe catches a fish, it has to surface some distance away or the gulls will grab it.


A Little Grebe appeared on the Long Water, fishing under the willow tree next to the bridge.


The male Tawny Owl retreated into his tree in mid-morning, disappointing several photographers. I went past the tree again just before half past three, and as I approached he came out again. But the light was fading on this grey day, so the picture is a bit dim.

5 comments:

  1. The Little Grebe shot is heart-breakingly beautiful. I must try to see one of these creatures in real life! But they seem quite elusive.

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    1. Little Grebes are usually quite easy to see in Regent's Park. They have considerably more of them than we do. Try the west side of the lake from the Baker Street entrance north to the end of the water, and also the stubby little fake canal that extends from the iron bridge in the opposite direction.

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    2. Thanks Ralph. That's too far from home for me sadly - I live near the Thames towards Henley. I am hoping Virginia Water might work...I'll get out there and find out later in the year!

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  2. A delightful picture of the wren. Perhaps he was trying to emulate hie great- grandfather on a farthing! Janet

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    1. For those too young to remember farthings, it's here.

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