Tuesday 25 February 2020

The Redwings on the Parade Ground have been forced to the southwest corner by the turf laying operation, and are now next to a busy path.


But they are so busy themselves, hauling up plentiful worms, that they have stopped being afraid of the passing humans and are quite approachable.


Plenty of birds at the bridge came out to be fed. I was with Jon Spoard, who took these excellent pictures of a Jay flying down to snatch a peanut from my hand ...



... and a Coal Tit arriving for a pine nut.


A Blue Tit waited for its turn.


This is one of the Long-Tailed Tits that are nesting in the gorse bush in the Rose Garden.


A Robin gave the camera a penetrating stare ...


... and so did a Magpie in the Italian Garden ...


... but were outclassed by the silver eyes of a Jackdaw.


Four of the Grey Heron nests on the island were occupied today. Only three are shown here as the other, on the far side of the island, has a bird sitting on eggs low in the nest and barely visible. The first nest in the video is the one that successfully produced young last year. It needs some rebuilding before it's fit to use. The second, high in a treetop, is visited occasionally and hasn't really got going yet. The third, at the east end of the island, is regularly attended by two herons and will probably have eggs in it soon.


A Great Crested Grebe took off for a short flight up the lake.


The Coots under the balcony of the Dell restaurant are keeping their nest together, but have wisely deferred any plans to build it up to a useful height until the wind drops and the waves subside.


'I'm tired of being symbolic. I think I'll have a little lie down.' One of the figures on the side of the Asia statue group on the Albert Memorial.

4 comments:

  1. An unusually tame Jay there- though birds are very tame there. I don't know anywhere else where the parakeets are hand fed.

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    1. There are several Jays like this in the park. They clearly enjoy the display of precision flying.

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  2. Wow, what incredible pictures! The eye-to-foot coordination of the Coal Tit is a marvel to behold. If I were a Jay I'd show off my lovely wings too!

    I'm sorry to see that you still need to wear mittens. Spring should hurry up and catch up already!

    Imagine the prospect of being forced to be symbolic for **decades**...

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    1. The Coal Tit has had plenty of practice in landing on people's hands. It takes tits a few times to get it right, but their strong little feet keep them from falling off.

      It was colder here today and I had to wear proper gloves. Snow is forecast, but we'll see.

      The tired Arab has had to be symbolic since 1872, a long haul.

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