... but probably not for long, as they are hopeless parents. They are the first pair of Egyptians to arrive in the park, I think twelve years ago, and during this time only one of their offspring has survived, and that only because it was found abandoned and given to another family to adopt.
A Song Thrush was beside them on the grass.
A Dunnock was hopping around behind the railings of the leaf yard.
Here is a Coal Tit coming to my hand.
This picture was taken with a little camera I have bought for close-up and wide-angle shots that I can't get with the big camera and the long lens.
Also in the leaf yard, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was excavating for insects in the bark of a tree.
A Starling interfered with feeding the small birds, but looked very fine in the sunlight.
Discerning squirrels would eat no other brand. (Advt.)
On Buck Hill, a Wren posed for a moment on a bramble.
The Black Swan was on the Serpentine with both of his girlfriends, to everyone's surprise as we really thought that he had broken up with number one. But this peculiar bird always keeps us guessing.
A pair of Mute Swans were in the reed bed in front of the Diana fountain, and it looked as if they were about to make a nest.
One nest has succeeded here, in 2012, but the others were attacked by foxes.
I tried feeding ducks with Quaker Oats, but they regarded them with disdain. I must try digestives (superior brand) instead perhaps?
ReplyDeleteLots of birds seem to like digestives: waterfowl of all kinds, Blackbirds, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws. The crows insist on the original full-fat McVities and will have no truck with 'Light' ones which I once bought by mistake. They didn't like Tesco's own brand either.
DeleteRalph, that makes two excellent pics you must send to McVities' marketing dept. and advertising agency, and this one provides continuity from their nauseating "sweeet" tv ads. Re the crows, do they also wallop you if you offer the wrong biscuit variety? Jim n.L.
DeleteI can tell you, being treated to the withering scorn of a Mallard duck brings a girl down a peg or two, and no mistake. Top of the range digestives ftw.
DeleteGood heavens, you remember the first squirrel picture? That was years ago. It was a better photograph but the name on the biscuit was upside down.
DeleteAh, I didn't realise there was another squirrel pic. I was thinking of the crow one. Well the more good ones you can furnish at once the better. Jim
DeleteI feed the birds Simply M&S Digestives which they also love, both the water birds and some of the tree birds. The swans in particular are very keen. They are not marked M&S on the biscuit itself - it says "Sweetmeal Digestive Biscuits".
ReplyDeleteMARIE
No doubt Marks and Sparks bake a better biscuit than Tesco.
DeletePassed by today and the EG is down to one gosling already.
ReplyDeleteSad but inevitable. This pair are hopeless, and always have been since they arrived in the park 12 years ago. They have had literally hundreds of young and have never managed to raise any.
DeleteGreat new close-up camera. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks. How odd to need a close-up camera for birds, though.
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