Friday 25 September 2015

The yew trees have berries on them, which were attracting Blackbirds, and also this Ring-Necked Parakeet which was eating unripe berries although there were plenty of ripe ones.


The holly berries are ripe too, and a Wood Pigeon was taking advantage of them.


This tree beside the Long Water also had Blackbirds, Starlings and Ring-Necked Parakeets in it, as well as a Great Tit who was only there for the bugs.


I heard a male Cetti's Warbler singing in the reed bed just to the east of the Lido swimming area, and three of them could be seen moving about, though too hidden by foliage to be photographed. Shortly afterwards I met David Element, who had heard a male Cetti in the usual reed bed near the bridge at almost the same time. It's impossible to tell whether this means there are two males, or whether a single male had made a swift flight -- they move around over a wide area.

The Reed Warblers were still in the bed near the bridge, but wouldn't appear for a photograph while I was there. The usual tits came out to be fed while I was waiting. Here is a Blue Tit looking very elegant.


This is just an ordinary Feral Pigeon on a post near Peter Pan, but it has a striking colour scheme.


The female Little Owl was on the usual branch in last year's nest tree. At another time she was in the other tree. But I haven't seen the male owl for four days. He may have found a new perch in the leaf yard.


Some of the Tufted Ducks have almost completely regrown their sharp black and white breeding plumage.


A Great Crested Grebe had caught a fish under the parapet of the Italian Garden. She ate it herself rather than giving it to a chick. Even the most devoted parents have to eat some time.


There are a lot of Crane Flies (the respectable name for Daddy-Long-Legs) on Buck Hill. The length of their legs is really astonishing, reaching from side to side of this picture.


A closer view shows that they are true flies, with only one pair of flying wings and the hind wings reduced to club-shaped halteres, which vibrate to act as a kind of gyroscope, keeping the insect steady in flight.

2 comments:

  1. I heard the Cetti's singing in the reed bed near the bridge at about 11.20 yesterday. It was a very pleasant surprise only slightly spoiled by someone speaking loudly on a mobile phone!
    I also heard a Chiffchaff singing briefly, possibly in the leaf yard.

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    Replies
    1. Birds do seem to be singing late this year. I heard two Coal Tits and a Great Tit.

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