On the ground below, a Robin came out of a rose bed to be fed.
A Blackbird in the Dell perched next to some pink leaf buds, a sign that it's not too long till winter loses its grip.
A Magpie in the Flower Walk was pecking at some crusty object, I think the desiccated corpse of a small rat.
One of the Nuthatches in the leaf yard was singing too. The other was looking around before coming down to take food from the fence.
A pair of Egyptian Geese were making a terrible racket honking and panting in a nearby tree. They do this treetop display all winter, not necessarily when looking for a nest site.
There was a very small Greylag Goose at the Dell restaurant, no larger than an Egyptian. It was holding its own with the larger geese and getting plenty of food from visitors.
Two female Shovellers were feeding together, swinging their heads from side to side while they shovelled with an oddly mechanical action, like an automatic sweeping device.
A Mallard drake launched himself down the little waterfall in the Dell.
The white Mallard was resting on the island with his mate and the extra drake who has attached himself to the pair. The three now seem to be inseparable.
A young Mute Swan was chasing another along the Serpentine. Since they are both very junior, this would have been just a bit of horseplay, not a territorial dispute.
Two Great Crested Grebes were also chasing each other, and this really was territorial. The loser flew for about 50 yards before coming down at a safe distance.
The female Little Owl near the Albert Memorial was in her usual place in the oak tree.
One of the owls near the Henry Moore sculpture came out of the hole, but only for a few seconds and I saw it from across the lake, so didn't get a picture.
Some of our local Blackbirds are practicing snatches of full song. I think it is entirely too early for that, although they make for a very pretty sort of musical accompaniment to Robins's winter song.
ReplyDeleteHave the birds at the Park been affected by the New Years Eve fireworks, I wonder? Stupid useless racket.
Blackbirds and other thrushes do practise quiet 'sub-song' during the winter. Song Thrushes are quite often stimulated to full song by sunshine, Today's Mistle Thrush was definitely singing at full volume and could be heard from some distance away.
DeleteI don't think the park birds are disturbed by fireworks in the surrounding streets. The park itself its sadly noisy now, with leaf blowers and construction of the eternal commercial shows, and they are used to it. I saw some Song Thrushes happily nesting in the central reservation of Park Lane, where you can't hear yourself speak but there is a band of grass and trees closed to public access.
Not this year so far (in fact, there seem to be fewer blackbirds around here lately, perhaps due to ongoing building work), but we have had blackbirds doing full song in winter nights (Dec/Jan) in EC1/central London.
ReplyDeleteProbably kept awake by street lights. Have you noticed Blackbirds perching on lights to keep warm? This has been observed in Canada in winter, and in the daytime. The light had a photoelectric cell on top, and the bird extended a wing over it to make the light switch on.
DeleteHaven't seen that yet- clever beggars. Also, I've read somewhere that city birds start singing earlier and earlier to get ahead of increased noise levels later (perhaps that was here?)
DeleteAnd they sing louder, and at a higher pitch. (But that wasn't mentioned here, I haven't dealt with this subject.)
DeleteHi Ralph, coming to LDN again this next WE. Any way I might find you in the park on THU afternoon to get some pointers for the little owl locations? I would love to try my luck again since I struck out last year at the Peter Pan. You were such a patient guide! Thx again. If you're not around, maybe a reply with the blog dates where you posted the locations and tree details might help since I cannot seem to find a search button for the entire website :-). Thanks much, and take care! Andie
ReplyDeleteAndie, I don't know which Thursday you mean (is WE short for Wednesday or weekend? what do you mean by 'next'? -- dates always help) but I shall be in the park on Thursday 5 and 12 January, and happy to show you the owl trees. Normally I get into the park by 10.30 am but could meet you later if you prefer. I'm not staying later than 2 pm at this time of year because the light fades after that. Usual meeting place is at the south end of the Serpentine bridge.
DeleteRalph - right you are! Arrive LDN Thursday the 5th at 8:10 according to schedule, , but don't know when I can get into Kensington as there is a strike on and I need the Gatwick Express. Hope I will be in the park by 10:30. Not holding my breath, though. Maybe we could say 11 by the bridge? S end meaning where it says Temple Gate on the official map? If I don't show up within 15 min don't wait as I am probably stuck elsewhere. Will try and find you in the park in that case, if you are still the thin dark man with the black cam and lens! :-) Thx for offering!
DeleteOK, see you there at 11.
DeleteHappy New Year to you, Ralph.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to all.
And a very happy New Year to you.
Delete