A pair of Mute Swans have built a nest behind the railings of one of the small boathouses. Unfortunately these railings are no barrier to foxes, which can simply wade around them.
The Black Swans in St James's Park have enough trouble with the Mute Swans, which have killed several of their cygnets. But that doesn't stop them from fighting among themselves. Thanks to Joan Chatterley for this video.
It's very hard to tell what's going on in the Grey Herons' nest on the south side of the island. It's still occupied, and the heron keeps getting up and poking around in the nest, but I haven't seen any sign of a chick. Nor have I heard one begging in the last few days.
The Long-Tailed Tits in the Rose Garden have really finished building their nest, and only occasionally arrive with a feather for the lining. It's time for the female to lay her eggs.
But this may be the last video I put up of the nest. The government are panicking more and more about the Chinese flu and they are threatening to close the parks.
If so, I shall do everything I can to keep this blog going, though it will inevitably take a different form.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker had to contend with the invasive Rose-Ringed Parakeets that constantly throng the feeder. A Chaffinch managed to get a quick visit.
Another Great Spotted Woodpecker climbed a tree beside the Long Water, but I only managed to get a very distant shot of it.
However, Mark Williams got a close view of a Chaffinch near the bridge.
There was also another Long-Tailed Tit here, preening on a holly twig.
A Song Thrush sang briefly near the Italian Garden, and Elizabeth spotted it in another holly tree. By the time I got to it, it had stopped singing, so here is a still picture of it.
A Wren perched among leaf buds on the other side of the garden.
A Wood Pigeon ate some new leaves.
The very shy Coal Tit appeared in the leaf yard, and after several attempts I managed to tempt it down to take a pine nut from the railings.
In spite of the chilly wind, the sunshine brought the male Little Owl to the front of his hole in the lime tree near the Henry Moore sculpture.
I had a quick visit to the Round Pond this morning. The Black Swan was in good form, angrily nipping a passing young Mute.
ReplyDeleteI suppose swans are no more aggressive than many other birds. But it's all on such a large scale.
DeleteIf this is the last visit to the Park before it gets closed down, I am grateful for having at least a last picture of a Little Owl. Thank you so much, Ralph. If there is any way we readers can help you, howsoever it may be, just say the word.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. Well, I will do what I can for as long as I can.
DeleteAll the best Ralph-going to be a tricky time for us all. Hope you can keep some sort of blog going even if not from the royal parks.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Will do my best if and when the axe falls.
DeleteHave a rest!! If there's no blog so be it. Your health is more important and your readers, the parks and the birds will still be there when it's all over.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bizarre idea. Not on your life.
DeleteIf that is your attitude then, unfortunately, I do hope that the parks are closed asap. I have been increasingly alarmed by your comments on what is very serious health crisis recently. I am a long-time reader of this blog and really disappointed and confused by the comments you making. Please think about the elderly and vulnerable.
ReplyDeleteI've lived through four flu epidemics worse than this one, without the entire country being crashed. Have you thought of the many thousands of deaths through neglect, and through the consequences of economic collapse and mass unemployment, that the current policy will cause?
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