Thursday 26 March 2020

It's hard to see what's happening in the Grey Herons' nest on the south side of the island, because you have to view it from across the lake. But there are unmistakably two chicks on the left side of the nest. Their parent is lying down on the right side, barely visible.


The Great Crested Grebe pair on the Serpentine that I videoed yesterday were still constantly displaying near the island.


Joan Chatterley sent a fine picture of a Little Grebe on the lake in St James's Park, where there are always a few though their numbers have fallen during the past few years.


Here we only see them at long intervals, and I don't know whether we have permanent residents skulking under the bushes or whether they fly in from time to time and soon leave.

The Coots nesting in the reeds on the Long Water have moved their prized yellow football nearer the nest.


The Coot at Peter Pan titivated its nest, which swayed gently in the waves as it is balanced on a submerged chain attached to the post. It's quite a feat of building but in an incredibly silly place, as a hungry Herring Gull on top of the post can grab a chick whenever it wants.


Two male Mute Swans tried to face each other down. Eventually one of them cracked and allowed himself to be chased away.


The Egyptian Geese at the Lido have managed to hang on to their last two young for another day.


But they keep wandering off and have to be called back by their mother.


The Mandarin pair were back at the Vista.


The male Little Owl near the Henry Moore sculpture was in an awkward place partly hidden by a branch. You can't move left for a better view because there are twigs in the way.


A Carrion Crow was making a nest on Buck Hill.


A Magpie perched in a magnolia and refused to get into the same shot as a flower. Instead it gave me a challenging stare.


A Chaffinch at the bridge was also wondering what was going on ...


... but a Blue Tit knew it would be fed and waited patiently.


A Monk Parakeet was being taken out in a cage to get a bit of sun. I'm sure it isn't kept in that cage at home, because it could untie that loop on the door in seconds.


The fountains in the Italian Garden have been turned off, a small part of the collapse of the western world. But at least it gives you a clear view of the carp in the pool. They weren't deliberately introduced, and probably arrived as eggs stuck the the legs of birds.

5 comments:

  1. Are there many persons at the park when you visit? Is it easy to keep a safe distance?

    I hope the park won't be closed. What are small birds going to do?

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    1. Fewer people in the park than usual, but it's huge nd there's lots of room. Of course the more panicky ones are often yelling about staying away from each other. The park stays open at least for now. The small birds will be OK whatever happens: it's spring and there are plenty of insects.

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  2. Lovely shots of the grebe species. Glad you're still able to get around the park.

    The parrot in the cage is a Monk Parakeet which did have some populations in the London area (Isle of Dogs + Borehamwood/Elstree the main two)but believe these have largely removed as authorities didn't want them to spread like Rin-necked Parakeets. Unlike other parrots this species constructs large communal nests that can cause problems Quite a few feral colonies in parts of Europe. Saw about 20 on a golf course at Malaga on the way to the airport last November. Have also seen them on the Canaries. A native to South America.

    Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts amidst the gloom!

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    Replies
    1. Yep, they are a pest in Málaga and in many other cities. They have driven out many native small birds.

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    2. Thanks for the identification. I'd never seen one, though I had heard about them being a pest in some places.

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