There is a new family of Egyptian Geese on the Serpentine, at least for the time being. When I passed, the circling gulls had already taken all but two chicks.

The four young Egyptians on the Round Pond are still hanging on, and are now almost large enough to be safe from gulls.

Virginia Grey reported yesterday that another pair of Egyptians on the Round Pond had hatched five, but I couldn't find these when I went round. Also, the Coots have nested again on the platform with the solar panel and evidently still have some chicks, as they were sitting tight on the nest, but it was impossible to see anything. Some Mandarin ducklings also appeared here a few days ago but were eaten within hours.

The Coots nesting on the fallen poplar in the relative safety of the Long Water, where there is plenty of cover, have found a wonderful new ornament for their nest, a football decorated with Superman images.

The Black Swan was on the island, guarding the nest he has made for himself, a very uncomfortable-looking pile of branches.

A Cormorant on the other side of the island was feeling the heat, and was panting to cool down.

A Magpie was sunbathing on the edge of the leaf yard.

A Pied Wagtail was running briskly along the edge of the Serpentine, unnoticed by the crowds and not taking much notice of people. It ran past me only inches away.

A pair of Goldcrests were leaping around in the yew tree north of Peter Pan.

Offshore from Peter Pan, a pair of Gadwalls passed over a shoal of fair-sized carp.

But Paul had seen a much bigger carp under the parapet of the Italian Garden, which must have weighed over 30 pounds.

The Little Owl in the chestnut tree was looking suspiciously out of his hole.

Higher up in the same tree, a pair of Parakeets have nested.