One of the pair of Long-Tailed Tits in the Rose Garden was working on its nest in the gorse bush. The nest will be spherical, made mainly of spider webs and moss with some bits of gorse that will make it extremely well camouflaged in its surroundings. It will be lined with thousands of small feathers inserted barb first in the wall so that they make a comfortable springy bed.  At one point you can see the bird carrying a feather. This elaborate construction takes a pair of very small birds quite a while.

The returfing operation on the Parade Ground was concentrating on the north end, leaving the Redwings' favourite place undisturbed. One alternately preened and twittered on a branch, adding its voice to the gentle chattering of a small flock.

On the same tree there was a Goldcrest hanging upside down from a branch ...

... and a Long-Tailed Tit, whose frayed tail may show that it's building a nest.

A Pied Wagtail was looking for insects in the newly laid turf. There are plenty of insects, but grass is harder for a small bird to run across than bare ground.

A Wren came out on the path near the bridge.

A Jackdaw was sitting down on a fence. This attitude just seems to be comfortable, and not a sign that it has injured feet. When it came down to take a peanut it walked normally.

The Grey Heron in the nest on the south side of the island was poking around, probably turning the eggs.

Through binoculars I could see a pale patch on the right side of the nest, and wondered whether it was a hatched chick. But it was just a few twigs spattered with droppings. Nevertheless we can expect hatching any time now.

The gigantic young Herring Gull was in the same place, tackling a bit of waffle it had found near the Boathouse snack bar.

A pair of Great Crested Grebes were working on a nest under the willow near the bridge. Its solid twiggy construction shows that it's a partly completed Coot nest, and they've stolen it.

Usually the Coots get their nest back. A Great Crested Grebe can beat a Coot in a fight, but the sheer persistence of Coots wins in the end.

These Coots under the parapet of the Italian Garden have barely started building a nest, but the site has to be guarded at all times to prevent other birds from taking it over. One Coot stays on the nest while the other goes off for a feed.

The dominant male Mute Swan on the Long Water easily pushed a flock of intruding swans towards the bridge and off his territory.

But some swans refuse to be chased. This one on the Serpentine was trying to scare the one in front away, but the intended victim raised his wings as a warning and continued on his leisurely course.

Joan Chatterley was in St James's Park checking on the young Black Swan. It's now become typically aggressive, and was pecking the tail of a young Mute Swan.