Friday 26 February 2016

The Egyptian Geese on the Round Pond still had five young when I went by this morning.


The parents are looking after them carefully, and chivvied them into the water when a dog approached. although it was on a lead. But only a few yards away a Lesser Black-Backed Gull was looking at them with hungry interest.


There were a lot of Common Gulls, at least 50 at the Round Pond and at least 20 on the Serpentine. They don't suddenly arrive like the Black-Headed Gulls do, but trickle in grdually during the winter. These two were amusing themselves by walking along the slippery, rocking buoys at the Lido.


Four Red-Crested Pochards have arrived on the Serpentine, presumably from Regent's Park where there is a fair-sized population. Here are a pair between two Gadwall drakes on the island.


The Black Swan's behaviour continues baffling. Today he was following an adult Mute Swan around and calling to her.


There were more Mute Swans beside the willow tree near the bridge, eight at one time. This pair were clearly in love. The idyll didn't last, as the dominant male of the Long Water came over to break up the party.


Under the willow, one of the Great Crested Grebes guarding the nest was having a preen.


However, when I went by later there was a Coot standing on the nest, and more twigs had been added to it. It really doesn't matter if the Coots steal this nest, as the grebes don't have a chance of breeding successfully with the fish stocks in the lake so low. There were no Cormorants today, a sign that they have depleted the fish population severely in their usual way.

Some people feeding the Ring-Necked Parakeets on the Vista attracted two Grey Herons. Then a third one arrived.


The Little Owl near the Henry Moore sculpture was looking out of the hole in the tall lime tree.


There were four baby rabbits on the grass nearby. It was lucky for them that all the herons were on the other side of the lake begging for food from humans.

14 comments:

  1. You really have captured that Grey Heron head on Ralph! It shows how small their heads are in comparison to their extremely long wings and long legs. A great shot.

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  2. Enigma does as enigma do.

    We surely need a 24/7 dog patrol with powers of detention if these young spring things are to survive?

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    1. Twelve years (if I remember correctly) ago the first two Egyptian Geese arrived in the park. There are now over 100. They're doing all right.

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  3. The Black Swan's romantic adventures continue...I wonder whether he'll ever settle down, or whether he is set to enjoy a life of continual flirting. Cathy

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    1. We have to wait till spring sets in properly to see what happens. If he can get a mate securely he is well able to hold a nest site.

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    2. If swans are sexually mature at 2-3 years then presumably the current crop of girlfriends will not bear fruit this summer? Will immature birds go through the mating and nesting ritual regardless?

      Do herons nest in the Park out of interest? Where is the nearest heronry if not?

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    3. Ah, your previous entry answers my heron question:

      https://kensingtongardensandhydeparkbirds.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/the-tawny-owls-may-or-may-not-have-been.html

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    4. I was fascinated to read of the heron basket nests in Regent's Park. See here for pictures. http://regentsparkbirds.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/regents-park-10th-11th-december.html

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  4. great pictures as always! we still have not seen the owls, could you direct us to the tree where you see them now? I know its near the Henry moore sculpture, just not sure how close it is?

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    1. You will need binoculars. Go to the southeast corner of the square enclosure around the sculpture -- that is, the corner on the path nearest to the bridge. Look up the hill to the old brick buildings on the left of the Magazine. One of them has a chimney. The Little Owls' tree is directly in front of that, and the hole is in the left fork of this Y-shaped tree. It's maybe 60 yards up the hill from the path. Don't step off the path when looking: any movement towards the owl makes it dive into its hole.

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    2. Thank you very much we will look next time we are there!

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  5. Your great crested grebe photo is exquisitely well caught btw!

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