At least the feeding station draws the parakeets down the hill and away from the small birds, so that it is possible to feed these without interference. Here is a Nuthatch having a cautious look around before swooping down to collect a nut from the railings.
A Coal Tit was looking for its own food in a patch of lichen on a twig.
This fine shiny Carrion Crow follows me along the edge of the Serpentine. If I don't give it a peanut promptly it flies over and bashes me on the head.
The two Little Grebes were in the same place today, under the brambles on the west side of the Long Water near the Italian Garden. It is a shaded place and it's easy to miss them if you don't look carefully.
One of them caught a perch.
The other one was enjoying a flap.
There were plenty of Shovellers in the water nearby. But they have not yet reached the critical number of about 50 which allows them to form one of their grand feeding circles which are one of the most colourful winter sights.
The Black Swan was apart from his usual companions, in the middle of a group of Mute Swans. As usual, he was giving them a hard time.
Blondie the Egyptian Goose was with her mate in her usual place at the southeast corner of the Serpentine , and they were displaying and making a terrible racket.
Do you think that the Little Grebes' will nest here or do you think one has strayed in and will go off again?
ReplyDelete(In fact forget this if they are both male/female!)
They bred once, several years ago, and lost all their chicks to gulls in a few days. The Long Water is too open for them.
DeleteI have not seen the speckled hybrid goose for a while - do you think he/she has left the area?
ReplyDeleteWe are worried about it, and fear that it may have crept off into a corner and died. But I am still keeping an eye out for it.
DeleteDoes the carrion crow physically hit you on the head? I always thought that whenever they buzz someone it's because of territoriality or because they are defending their young. Bird behaviour will never stop surprising us.
ReplyDeleteYes, it does hit me on the head. Also, it's not the only crow to do so: Charlie has this trick too.
DeleteRalph - the tail of the Nuthatch looks most odd from the side view. It looks like swellings or berries stuck to it? What do you think?
ReplyDeleteMarie
The tail of the bird is out of focus, and minor irregularities in the feathers have opened out into blobs. I've seen this before in photographs. Remember that with a 450mm lens the depth of focus is about the thickness of a sheet of cardboard.
DeleteMany thanks for your reply to my query. I had no idea it could be down to depth of field and I am always amazed at your knowledge Ralph.
DeleteMarie
Corvids are notorious for their cheek: http://corvidblog.tumblr.com/post/37622242234/tail-pulling
ReplyDeleteI've seen this behaviour time and time again in crows and magpies.
Delete