Wednesday 17 January 2018

A pair of Egyptian Geese were mating near the Dell restaurant. They have no idea of the northern seasons and will mate and nest at any time of year. They were also undeterred by the choppy waves and a lot of other birds milling around them.


The dominant pair of Mute Swans on the Long Water were showing their affection by synchronised preening.


There weren't many people around on a cold windy day. A flock of Greylags took advantage of the quiet and visited the Diana fountain to drink.



In winter there are always Pochards sheltering under the trees at the north edge of the Vista, accompanied by the resident Tufted Ducks.


The pair of Mandarins were still at Peter Pan, though the drake was skulking in the bushes.


A Moorhen sat stolidly on the edge of the Serpentine, not budging as runners thumped past inches away.


The pigeon-eating Lesser Black-Backed Gull's mate was with him today. We haven't seen her for a long time.


A young Herring Gull on the Serpentine played idly with a leaf. But it wasn't a very exciting toy and was quickly dropped.


Another gull at the Diana fountain found a much more interesting game: catching leaves as they swept down the watercourse.


Some snowdrops have come out near the Dell. A Carrion Crow investigated them.


A Robin in the Dell came out and fed from my hand. I have never had any dealings with this bird before. People must be hand-feeding the Robins here, though I have never seen them.


There was a flock of Long-Tailed Tits in the magnolia trees near Queen's Gate. They stayed for quite a long time. Perhaps the developing buds attract insects.

1 comment:

  1. Brutish and moody they may be, but few things rival the beauty and elegance of swan courtship.

    I do suspect that Robins tell each other about the kind person with the camera who is always ready to give them tasty food on the daily. That is why you keep getting new customers.

    The young Herring Gull's play is clearly a play run at a grab-and-run scheme, so well beloved by thieving gulls stealing doritos from convenience stores:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydJwpbOU8Ys

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