He was actually on the lake yesterday: Virginia Grey saw him. He must have been behind something when I passed.
The Polish Black-Headed Gull with ring code T4UN flew by.
I have seen it several times in the past few years, always in much the same place, on the north shore of the Serpentine west of the small boathouses. This is typical of Black-Headed Gulls, which migrate hundreds of miles but stick to the same spot when they arrive.
A Cormorant was fishing near the bridge. Here it is under water zooming over the wire basket of twigs, looking for a fish that had carelessly ventured out of shelter.
A group of Greylags flew down from the Parade Ground to the Serpentine.
There was a small fleet of Red Crested Pochards at the island.
Most of the ones on the lake are male. Possibly, as with Common Pochards, the sexes migrate separately. But the two species are not closely related; they just happen to look rather alike.
A red carrier bag was blown by the wind into one of the Italian Garden pools. Excited by this irresistible colour, a pair of Coots made a beeline for it.
There are no berries left in the rowan trees. A Mistle Thrush ...
... and a Blackbird ...
... were picking up fallen berries from the ground. A Redwing ...
... had been doing the same, but my arrival disturbed this very shy bird and it flew into a tree. This gave a glimpse of its red wings.
beautiful shot of the redwing Ralph. i get v excited about seeing these birds which aren't really much different to our thrushes but the splash of red underwing is quite dramatic. i wonder why we dont get many of them in the park while other places in london seem to have flocks of them.have thoroughly enjoyed your posts all year as usual. you must cover MILES each week?
ReplyDeleteMark W2
Thanks. I think the Redwings are so few here because they're so easily disturbed. They like places closed off by fences, such as garden squares. The most I ever saw together, well over 200, were on the cricket ground near the Royal Hospital, which was closed for the winter.
Deletewe can only hope they will be here in greater numbers when the Winter Wonderland has gone. usually my best chance of a spot. i used to live in Yorkshire next to school playing fields & regularly saw flocks peppered with Fieldfares too.
ReplyDeleteMark W2
Mark W2
All nice photos. I especially admire the nice flight shot of the Black-headed gull and also the black swan against the background of his mute swan friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Gulls are quite easy on a windy day. You stand with your back to the wind and wait for them to go past very slowly. But it was a bonus to get the Polish visitor.
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