Saturday 14 October 2017

There were three Goldcrests in the big yew tree at the southeast corner of the Dell.


A Blackbird was eating the 'strawberries' on a nearby arbutus tree.


Her mate preferred to look for insects and worms in the dead leaves under another tree.


In the Rose Garden, a Robin had found a worm in a flower bed, and for some reason dragged it across the path into the flower bed on the other side.


A party of Feral Pigeons enjoyed a bathe in the original Diana fountain in the Rose Garden. This has nothing to do with the princess. It has a statue of the goddess Diana on it, shooting quite understandably at the statue of Lord Byron in Park Lane. And it's a real fountain, not a drain.


A Jay dug up a buried acorn beside the Long Water.


A Cormorant was after more substantial fare, and caught a perch.


The young Great Crested Grebes at the bridge are still being fed by their parents, but are now making serious efforts to catch fish for themselves, and they are begging less.


It allows their parents a bit of leisure to have a preen.


The Black Swan came ashore and trotted over to be given some birdseed. He can walk quite gracefully, unlike the big Mute Swans with their ungainly waddle.


A Grey Heron posed on a tree stump near the bridge. It's an adult but a fairly young one, about a year and a half old, retaining a hint of juvenile grey on the head, and quite a neat front rather than the tatty 'scarf' of older birds.


The Little Owl at the leaf yard was out on her usual branch. You have to get right inside the tree for the best view of her in this difficult place.


The Imperial College fire engine celebrated its 100th birthday in 2016. It's still in good working order, including the pump for the hose, allowing the students a bit of firefighting practice. They maintain several veteran vehicles, which are often seen driving around the park.

2 comments:

  1. The clip the Imperian College fire engine is so wonderful. If only respect for tradition and history was as revered in the rest of countries as it is in England.

    That worm is entirely too long for the Robin!

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    1. I'm afraid that respect for history is disappearing fast here, and having forgotten our history we are doomed to repeat it.

      I think the Robin was taking the worm into a secluded place to chop it into bite-sized chunks, quite an effort for a small bird but worth it in terms of nutrition.

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