It flew down to look for insects in a flower bed.
There are several rival Robins quite close to each other in the Rose Garden, which encourages them to sing.
A Dunnock searched for bugs under a bush near the bridge. Usually they are very shy birds, but this one is used to people going past, most of whom never notice it.
A pair of Rose-Ringed Parakeets shared an apple. They must be mates, or they'd have been fighting each other for it.
The female Little Owl near the Henry Moore sculpture came out of her hole.
The female Peregrine was on the barracks tower again, but after five pictures yesterday I think we can give the routine photograph a rest.
The young Grey Herons' father landed in the nest to a clattering welcome from his brood begging for food.
A heron stood uncomfortably close to the white Mallard and his mate in their usual place next to the reed bed.
The dominant pair of Mute Swans on the Long Water were taking renewed interest in their nesting island. It won't be long before the pair of Egyptian Geese who have been using it get chased off.
This picture is similar to one I took twelve days ago. A young swan has made a nest in the reed bed below the Diana fountain, and is safe from the menaces of the adult male. I was watching this with Jenna, who said that shortly before she had seen two swans together behind the net.
This is puzzling, partly because I can't see where the swans get into the net, and partly because this swan, less than a year old and still partly grey, is too young to breed.
A pair of swans ate willow leaves beside the Long Water ...
... and another enjoyed a vigorous wash.
The usual Bar-Headed hybrid goose was on the Serpentine.
But approaching it up the lake was a group of three Bar-Heads which had flown in from St James's Park to be with their friend. The one on the left is clearly one of the 50:50 Bar-Head--Greylag hybrids. The others are too far away to be sure of their identity.
The Moorhen is back on her nest in the Dell after being evicted by a pair of Mallards.
The Coots' nest at the east end of the Serpentine has got up to water level. A Coot dragged a large branch on to it.
Hi Ralph,
ReplyDeleteThe Canada Goose male, father of the 14 goslings from last year has definitely been abandoned by his female. I really have no idea what happened but usually it is when a stronger single male is nearby and available. I feel sorry for him he probably became weaker by raising so many goslings and well, at least he has his children for support. They are still with him.
Thanks. Will keep an eye on them. Sorry to have misspelt your name on today's blog post -- now corrected.
DeleteBrave indefatigable Coot, too persistent to even entertain the notion of failure. We have much to learn from them. "“Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm”.
ReplyDeletePoor Heron father. He looks ready to throw in the towel.
So lovely to hear the Robin! Most of them have now left my urban area, which is a melancholy thing.
The herons will be really pleased to see their three insatiable teenagers leave the nest. Last year they had two. Both survived the transition to independence and are still on the lake. The heron often seen in the Dell is one of them.
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