Sunday 16 December 2018

Both the Little Owls came out in their tree near the Queen's Temple as darkness was falling. There wasn't enough light for good pictures.



We've had videos of feeding the Great Tits and Blue Tits at the leaf yard before, but it's a daily pleasure, and today it was enhanced by two visits from a Robin.


Another Robin came out on the path.


A Nuthatch also came to my hand, but not when I was filming. I hope to get it on video one day, but it's still camera-shy.


A Jackdaw ...


... and a Jay were not nervous at all, and positively demanded to be fed. The Jay followed me and took five peanuts from my hand.


A Carrion Crow perched on the Big Bird statue. One of these days, with luck, I'll find a Grey Heron standing there in the same posture as Big Bird.


Two heron nests on the island were occupied, and another heron was on a willow beside the lake picking a twig to add to the nest. They really are starting very early this year.


So are the Egyptian Geese at the Henry Moore sculpture. Being African, they have no idea of the northern seasons and breed at the most unsuitable times.


Another Great Crested Grebe at the island is already going into breeding plumage.


A young Cormorant preened a wing on a fallen branch at Peter Pan.


A Black-Headed Gull drank from a puddle.


A Herring Gull found part of what looked like a large pork pie floating low in thge Long Water. This triggered a feeding frenzy from Black-Headed Gulls trying to snatch a piece of it.


The rain-wetted ground near the Dell helped a Herring Gull in its dance to bring up worms.

4 comments:

  1. Hi Ralph,

    I am a little concerned about the manky looking young heron. Saw him this morning and looked even more dishevelled and oily. Its mainly his neck. What could be wrong?

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    Replies
    1. I really don't know. But herons do get into sadly messy states, and seem to survive.

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  2. Gulls's actions are one part comical to two parts sinister, I guess. Mainly if you are a worm.

    I live vicariously through the feeding videos. What is the grip of a Robin like? Strong like that of a Great Tit, or rather loose like that of a canary?

    I wish a Heron would perch on the Big Bird sculpture, as well. They make the best lawn and hood ornaments.

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    Replies
    1. Robins have a very light grip, which is what you would expect with their alarmingly thin legs. Even Nuthatches don't have as strong a grip as Great Tits, and their curved needle-like claws don't spike your fingers.

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