These summer visitors are seldom seen in city centres, though she is not the first to be seen in the park.
A Reed Warbler was singing in the reed bed at the east end of the Serpentine -- the fixed reed bed, not the ones on rafts. So was one in the reed bed near the Diana fountain. It isn't clear how many male Reed Warblers there are. There might be as many as four males, since one has already been heard singing in a reed bed in Kensington Gardens. Or they might just be moving around. There is at least one female too. Here is the male from the reeds near the Diana fountain.
The first young Starlings have come out of their nests. This one -- one of several -- was in a tree at the south end of the Parade Ground.
The bereaved male Mute Swan from the Long Water was on the Serpentine, cruising around in his usual swaggering style and bearing down on some unattached young females. It is hard to tell whether he was trying to court them or chase them away, but they retreated anyway.
A Grey Heron was sitting on the post next to the one with the Moorhens' nest, looking away but occasionally glancing over his shoulder for the chance of a raid.
The Egyptians that I photographed on Saturday with six young now seem to have nine, which is far more than usual and raises the possibility that they have adopted some. They were at the Bluebird boat hire platform, but two of their youngsters had wandered off to the far side of the lake and were calling pitifully. One of them is very blond. When I came past the platform later the young ones had found their parents and all was well for the time being.
The Egyptians who bred on the Round Pond in midwinter are now nesting again, in the same tree as before. Their father was looking after the half-grown young, of which five survive.
The female Grey Wagtail was hunting insects in her favourite place near the Lido.
On a blustery, stormy day the Little Owls were staying inside their tree, and no one saw them. So here is a fine picture of the pair taken on 27 April by Michael Morgan.
Great photo and news of a Whinchat. I have not seen one for a long time and to have it in our park is great but it will move on as London is not its habitat to breed in. Also the Reed warblers are still around and hopefully they may breed. Thanks again Ralph for great birds.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't there when I went past later. It may have been here for just minutes before it went wherever Whinchats go.
ReplyDeleteI was putting the RSPB super soft fat balls out on the grass this morning, and went inside to the kitchen. Then through the window the sky darkened.
ReplyDeleteI glanced up and was 'gob-smacked' to see a huge red kite swoop down into our garden, pick up a fat ball in flight, and sweep majestically up and out again. Wow. They are so so beautiful and at close quarters, fairly gigantic to boot.
Those RSPB suet balls are clearly VERY attractive to birds (and foxes).
You must be getting through a lot of fat balls. Paul makes his own with dripping (which you can get at Sainsbury's) melted and soaked into cheap birdseed and poured into little plastic pots with a stick shoved in to make a hanger. The pots need to be moderately heat resistant, which should be tested beforehand.
DeleteI have gone back to buying the cheaper RSPB balls in boxes of 50 from Wyevale! The starling fledglings adore them, and I love seeing them all lined up expectantly, waiting to be fed titbits from the suet balls from mum/dad.
DeleteTalking of Fat Balls - I normally use the ones from Wilkinsons normally in Tubs of 50 because more cost effective to buy in larger quantity. However, I have noticed recently that they tend not to get devoured as quickly as the last batch that used did. Is it possible that Wilkinsons have a different recipe that isn't as attractive to the birds is likely to be some other reason ? Maybe need to try different ones and see if their is a real preference....
DeleteHi Ralph, many thanks for beautiful photos of bird. Regarding young Egyptians, where have you seen nine? I have seen Egyptians family on the Round Pond and have three new young ( I guess lost one couple of days before) I love them and feed them everyday however I couldn't find them on the Round Pond today and a bit worried:) Have seen them today? and do you think three new Young are lost their parents?
ReplyDeleteThe nine were on the Serpentine. I haven't been to the Round Pond since Monday, when both families were OK -- though the mother of the elder lot is back on her nest and the young ones are being looked at by their father.
DeletePlease don't give bread to the Egyptians. Especially not to the half-grown ones. Bread contains too much protein, causing their bones to develop abnormally, and they risk getting 'angel wing', a deformity in which their wings turn out at an odd angle and they may not be able to fly. I mean this seriously. Let them eat grass as they are supposed to.
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