The Mute Swans nesting on the island in the Long Water already have two eggs. The gardeners laid some freshly cut reeds on the island to make the nest more comfortable, and discovered the eggs while they were there.

The young Great Black-Backed Gull visited the Long Water. Here it is between two Herring Gulls, which are quite big birds but this huge creature dwarfs them.

A Grey Heron and a Cormorant perched side by side on the fallen horse chestnut tree, both skilled fishing birds with very different techniques.

The Scaup was in his usual place on the north shore of the Serpentine. A few bits of biscuit thrown into the water brought him hastening over.

He has been showing interest in a female Tufted Duck.

A Wood Pigeon was eating blossom in a nearby tree.

Several Chiffchaffs were singing. This one was in a tree on the east side of the Long Water, just visible through the twigs. They are tricky to photograph because they sing a phrase and immediately jump to a different place.

A Wren was also singing in a bush near the Tawny Owls' nest tree.

The gardeners told me that they had heard the male owl calling from somewhere between the leaf yard and the Physical Energy statue early this morning. There is very little leaf cover here, so he was probably hunting rather than choosing a place for the day. Anyway, I couldn't find him.

But the female Little Owl could be seen in the chestnut tree just up the hill from the pair's nest tree.