The Kingfisher was on his favourite branch in the dead willow tree near the Italian Garden.

But a minute later he was disturbed by some Jackdaws which arrived in the tree and started ripping off the bark to look for insects underneath.

He flew down the east side of the lake and into the shore just beyond the reed bed. Paul has seen him going into this place more than once, and thinks there might be a nest hole here. If so, it makes a mockery of the effort to build a Kingfisher nest site at the Vista. Construction on this ambitious project has stalled anyway, and large wooden boards are lying around neglected. To be used, it would have to be finished soon.

The white-faced Blackbird perched in the small tree next to the willow, which is also dead. It has very peculiar bark, and I don't know whether it was like this when the tree was alive, or is some kind of encrustation that grew after it died.

A Robin perched lower in the same tree. Both birds were expecting to be fed, and of course they were.

The male Song Thrush in the leaf yard was in full song at the top of a tree, in spite of the grey chilly day. This one in the bushes nearby is probably his mate.

One of the Nuthatches in the leaf yard came down to take food from the railings.

So did a Coal Tit. There seems to be only one of these in the leaf yard. We all hope it finds a mate and they hatch more of these charming tiny birds.

There also seems to be only one Dunnock in the Rose Garden, but you never know with these unobtrusive birds. There was a male Dunnock here last year, singing his beautiful song.

The returfing work on the Parade Ground has now extended down the hill, frightening away the Redwings and other migrant thrushes, and also the Pied Wagtails. One of these was on the edge of the Serpentine looking for insects in a crack in the tarmac.

One of the Grey Herons at the island was gathering twigs for its nest. It landed on a very thin branch which swayed precariously, and had to flap to keep its balance.

A Mute Swan came down on the lake and water-skied to a halt.

Others were grazing on the grassy bank in the Lido swimming area, trying hard to impress each other.

The female Little Owl in the oak tree near the Albert Memorial was preening.

The one in the lime near the Henry Moore sculpture was just looking down. It's a long day for Little Owls waiting for the people to go away so that they came come down and hunt for worms and beetles on the ground.