Sunday 22 April 2018

The pair of Great Crested Grebes in the oak tree near the bridge were mating. They can only be viewed from the bridge because they are screened from the path by a thick branch.


The sitting grebe on the nest at the island was doing nothing, but it's good to know they are still there.


A Coot stood its ground as a Grey Heron stalked towards its nest. It would be in danger if there were already chicks in the nest, but it's too early for that.


Another brought a long twig, a strip of plastic and some algae to the nest on the buoys at the Lido.


This one dragged a heavy stick to the nest hopelessly situated on the edge of the Lido restaurant terrace. It gives you an idea of how they might have built the enormous nest of large sticks at the other restaurant.


Coots are not much given to displays of affection, but at least they can eat their mate's parasites.


A Moorhen carried a twig to its mysteriously hidden nest in the willow tree next to the bridge.


Both the Grey Herons on the island were at their nest.


The Mute Swans rashly nesting at the edge of the water where the fox likes to sunbathe are still getting away with it -- but for how long?


A Jay waited to be fed in a tree near the bridge.


On a hot day with plenty of insects, the small birds were mostly out of sight attending to their business in the bushes. But a Coal Tit came to a feeder in the Rose Garden.


A pair of Long-Tailed Tits were flitting around in a tree beside the Serpentine .


And a Goldcrest sang in the Dell.


The first Comma butterfly I've seen this year flew along the edge of the Long Water.


This unremarkable clip is uploaded for the benefit of the park manager who told Virginia that Blackbirds don't forage in grass.


Oak flowers are unobtrusive but rather pretty.

4 comments:

  1. So Blackbirds do not forage in the grass, according to those who are paid to know better?

    True love is eating your mates' parasites, not looking in the same direction.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It adds a new dimension to taking a girlfriend out to dinner.

      Delete
  2. What are they on - 'don't forage in grass'?

    ReplyDelete