Glad to report that the Black Swan is back from Regent's Park. Here he is preening his ruffles at the east end of the Serpentine ...

... and here he is joined by his girlfriend, who has been cruising around with her wings raised to show that she is again a swan of importance.

A short way off, a couple of Mute Swans were also showing signs of affection.

Jorgen Schiott sent in this interesting picture of an odd-looking Mallard on the Serpentine. He wonders whether it is a hybrid, perhaps with a Gadwall, and mentions that its plumage has fine striations like that of a Gadwall.

I am not sure about that. Ordinary Mallards also have some striated plumage, as you can see in this picture of one having an enthusiastic wash.

One of the pair of Grey Herons on the island was on its nest when I first went passed, but later both of them crossed the lake to the Lido for a bit of fishing.

A Black-Headed Gull was hovering around, trying to grab a fish from a Cormorant that was having difficulty separating it from a strand of algae. The Cormorant managed to get its fish out and swallow it.

A flock of Long-Tailed Tits was moving along the edge of the Serpentine near the Triangle car park. They have been visiting the shrubbery here every day for some time.

A Great Tit was singing on Buck Hill.

There were some Mistle Thrushes looking for worms in the grass on Buck Hill, but when the ambulance helicopter landed there they flew into a tree.

The park birds are no longer worried by this helicopter, which visits daily and is now part of the scene. Buck Hill is the usual pickup point for Central London casualties requiring urgent attention.