There was a mild chattering noise from the next tree, which came from a few Redwings that were waiting for their turn with the berries.
A Blackbird reached down to take a berry. You can see that these are beginning to discolour and go soft. The birds usually prefer them in this state.
A party of Long-Tailed Tits was working its way from the bridge the west side of the Long Water. Although the birds fly fast, the flock as a whole moves at less than walking speed, so when you find one here you hurry up to the Vista and wait for them to arrive at the last tree before the gap. They always pause here before crossing the gap, and the tree is quite small and low, so there is usually an opportunity for a photograph. And here it is.
On the other side of the Vista, next to the Henry Moore sculpture, a Magpie had beaten a Jackdaw to a morsel of food. Jackdaws are quick, but Magpies are just as fast and considerably more ruthless, and usually win these contests.
A Pied Wagtail perched on the roof of one of the small boathouses and looked down the sunny side to see if any insects were visible. They have large, sharp eyes and will pounce on tiny bugs from a considerable distance.
The Teal was still in his usual place, skulking in the reeds, but he emerged for a moment.
A few feet away, a pair of Great Crested Grebes were fishing under the willow tree. One of them is already back in breeding plumage, and the one at the front of the picture is just growing the chestnut feather of its neck ruff, which are emerging through the white winter plumage.
A Greylag Goose was enjoying a vigorous wash on the Serpentine.
The Black Swan was having a quiet moment by himself, but came over when he saw me and took a digestive biscuit.
His on-off romance with the young Mute Swan seems to be going through an off phase. I haven't seen them together for a couple of days. She was on the other side of the lake demanding food from a rather alarmed tourist.
Is it OK to feed swans with digestive biscuits? I was thinking it was lettuce or nothing if I wanted to give the chubby Thames swans a top-up!
ReplyDeleteThe park swans have hopelessly corrupted tastes and wouldn't look at a lettuce unless it had icing on it. I don't think an occasional biscuit does them harm. But I would never feed a young bird growing its wings -- we have seen what bread does to Egyptian Geese.
DeleteThanks Ralph. We've got 2 Egyptians who have moved onto the village cricket pitch. Hopefully some cricketing goslings next year....
DeleteTsk. Naughty Girlfriend! Tourists should be treated kindly! (making a mental note to load up on swan food to give as ransom when next I visit Kensington Gardens).
ReplyDeleteSee my response above. It's no use bringing in healthy food. They don't see it as edible.
DeleteRalph, what time of year is best to visit the park? We visit the park every few months but when do you see the widest variety/amount of animals?
ReplyDeleteArjun
April or May, I suppose. But there's always something going on.
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