Monday 30 November 2015

The Mute Swan that was attacked by a dog yesterday seems to be recovering. He was in the bushes beside the Vista, and you can see that he is holding his leg in a more natural position, though it will take time to heal.


Later he swam over to the gravel bank on the other side of the lake and rested on the slope. He would not be able to get out of the water or walk, or of course take off, but he will be all right afloat for the time being.

I couldn't find the Black Swan for some time, but then spotted his girlfriend. He was nearby, lurking in the shadows under the bridge.


As well as the two Mute Swans with black faces, we have this one with a speckled face. Possibly all three are siblings.


A Great Crested Grebe was taking off, helped by the strong wind which allows a shorter takeoff run for this laborious business. It is one of a group of five that flew into the Serpentine last night. They were still in the gregarious mood that grebes adopt when on the move, and this one was flying over to rejoin the others.


A strong wind makes Cormorants hold their wings horizontal when drying them. If they stood in the normal upright position they would be blown over.


It was also making it difficult for these young Herring Gulls trying to walk along the line of buoys at the Lido. The gulls are too heavy for the buoys and tend to tip them over, and the wind caused them to lose their footing the whole time.


Of course they don't need to stand on these unstable things. It's probably just another gull game.

A screeching flock of Ring-Necked Parakeets swept over the Serpentine.


The rowan tree on Buck Hill is still full of Mistle Thrushes.


Plenty of Redwings and Fieldfares have been seen in St James's Park, but we don't seem to have any at the moment.

A Robin rooting around in dead leaves beside the Long Water had caught a small grub.

4 comments:

  1. Pleased to hear that the white swan is recovering after being attacked by a dog! I fail to understand some peoples' mentality! I think it should be law for all dog owners to keep their dogs on leads when anywhere near wildlife! We have not been to the park for a while but it is great to continue to follow your blog and keep up with all going on!
    We will visit again soon I'm sure and hope to see the owls now that the trees are bare! we enjoy our walks in Richmond and bushy park following the seasons and habits of the deer!

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  2. Thank God that the Swan seems to be doing as fine as possible, given the circumstances. Thanks for updating us. I hope he will be ok.

    Where I live dogs without leads are a public hazard, not only to wildlife, but to human population as well. Large dangerous dogs roam freely with their scattered-brained owners oblivious to anything but their smartphones. Most of us know better than to take a stroll in certain parks during certain hours.

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  3. Yes, thanks for the update on the injured swan.

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    1. Thanks to all. Will keep watching and report.

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