Monday 23 March 2020

The new Egyptian goslings at the Lido keep wandering away from their parents and have to be called back by their mother.


A pair of Coots have built a large nest on the remains of the swan island on the Long Water.


The swans are vaguely trying to do the same thing, but without a chance of success.


The male Coot chased the female wanting to mate with her, but she didn't fancy the idea.


This is a general view of the swan nest beside one of the small boathouses. You can see why the railings offer little protection from foxes.


A fox dozed on the edge of the Long Water.


The pigeon-killing Lesser Black-Backed Gull found a bit of chicken which he was happy to share with his mate, but not with a bunch of Carrion Crows trying to grab it.


The male Little Owl near the Henry Moore sculpture enjoyed the sunshine.


A Chiffchaff perched in the brambles beside the Long Water.


A Rose-Ringed Parakeet ate pussy willow catkins.


A Coal Tit examined a horse chestnut leaf bud, looking for insect larvae.


A Goldcrest landed in a tree on the edge of the Rose Garden.


In the garden, a female Blackbird was building a nest in a clump of bushes.


A male sang on a twig. They start singing later than the other songbirds, but their song is worth waiting for.


Also in the garden, a Buff-Tailed Bumblebee gathered pollen on a gorse bush ...


... a Hairy-Footed Flower Bee rested on a leaf ...


... and a Peacock butterfly sunned itself in a flower bed.


Paul has been photographing the mice that live in the Tube stations. They are quite bold and will come out on to the platform when things are quiet.

11 comments:

  1. Fascinating video. Interesting to see how unconcerned the nearby Feral Pigeons were. Perhaps they could sense they wouldn't be lunch for a while?

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    1. The pigeons are remarkably blasé about the gull. They know that they can take off faster than he can.

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  2. The government just gave a speak to let people stay at home and try not to go out. So, please take care of yourself. All the best.

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    1. The government are in a state of panic and chaos, and their ravings should be ignored.

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    2. They've made exeptions for daily exercising, or have I understood that incorrectly? That means you can still visit the park as long as it remains open?

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    3. I do hope so. It is actually my daily exercise.

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  3. I love the mouse... I could totally look at photos of tube-mice all day! paul should do a blog...

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    1. Paul has found tube shrews too. Hope he gets a picture.

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  4. Glad to see you are still getting out there every day. Many of our parks and preserves have been shut down for now. California.

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    1. A wrong decision. There is little risk of infection if people are sensible. People's sanity is very important.

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    2. Quite agree. We need sunshine and fresh air, and birds. For body and mind.

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