It looks as if the Great Crested Grebes' nest in the fallen poplar is beginning to hatch. The sitting bird had its wings slightly raised, as if there was a chick under them. When I went past again later it was in the same posture.
The three Mallard ducklings at the island are beginning to get their adult plumage.
The two smaller ducklings have survived another day.
Several families of Canada Geese, including the one with 15 goslings, had been cropping grass, and then came down to the edge of the water to digest it and rest. If a dog came past, they could quickly retreat into the water.
But it's now apparent that one of the 15 is a Greylag gosling adopted by mistake. It's at the front of this picture, standing up.
One of the newer broods of Mute Swans came ashore near the bridge for a rest. The cygnets are just large enough to jump up the kerb, though it takes several tries.
A Reed Warbler showed for a moment on the edge of the Long Water.
Blackcaps were singing in several places around the lake and in the Nursery.
The Carrion Crow pair on Buck Hill have two young. One of them was noisily demanding food from a parent. I gave the other one a peanut with the shell crushed to make it easier to open. They have to learn how to shell a peanut.
Several Jays followed me around looking expectant.
The bramble flowers are still attracting White-Tailed Bumblebees ...
... and Honeybees.
But in midsummer the flowers are nearly over, and small green blackberries are appearing in their place.
I never tire of watching the Canada flotilla! Amazing parents.
ReplyDeleteIt always startles me to see how different swans look on land. They are pure sleek grace and power in the water, and yet bumbling waddling clowns on land.
Speaking of clowns, were I a crow parent I'd seriously consider murdering such pestering offspring.
The crows treat their offspring pretty roughly when they reckon the young ones can feed themselves. These two are about to get the push.
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