Tuesday 22 August 2017

The pigeon-killing Lesser Black-Backed Gull and his mate were sharing their latest kill.


Their offspring came past hoping for a bit, but they kept it at a distance. I've never seen them let their young share food. Obviously they must have fed it as a chick, but once it's fledged it has to fend for itself.


Three Cormorants perched on one of the plant rafts at the east end of the Serpentine. They always choose this corner of the broken fence on the raft where Mute Swans have nested and destroyed all the plants.


Another Cormorant had a furious wash at the Serpentine island.


The Black Swan is now spending much of his time on the Lido. This is gated off for paying bathers, so he has to be photographed from the other side of the lake.


These Canada--Greylag Goose hybrids are clearly siblings, so there are two sets of two in the park, as well as some singles.


One of the Moorhens in the Italian Garden was feeding a chick. The chicks flap their tiny featherless wings in excitement when food is brought.


A Carrion Crow looked for crisps in a packet discarded on the edge of the Serpentine. Crows prefer their crisps soggy.


The female Little Owl at the leaf yard was preening a wing.


A Wood Pigeon was bathing in the little pool at the top of the Dell waterfall, and a young one came past it to drink.


The strayed racing pigeon in the Rose Garden had a bath in the fountain.


A flock of Long-Tailed Tits swept past the Rose Garden.


As they went through the next tree, I saw a Goldcrest. Not sure whether it was following the flock, or just happened to be there.


Also in the Rose Garden, there were a lot of these colourful caterpillars. Update: I didn't know what it was, but Conehead54 has just commented that it's a Toadflax Brocade moth, Calophasia lunula.

2 comments:

  1. Caterpillar isn't Large White but the formerly rare (used to be restricted to the south coast but now not uncommon in London area) moth- Toadflax Brocade which feeds on Purple Toadflax as here. Apparently also feeds on Common Toadflax but I normally find it on the former. Sadly none in my garden this year but see it most years.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. I was doubtful about it being a Large White, as the pattern didn't match the images I found well. Blog changed.

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