Sunday 5 April 2020

The Mistle Thrushes in the sweet chestnut tree on the north edge of Kensington Gardens were bringing worms to their chicks. One bird stands guard over the nest at all times.


A male Blackcap sang in a tree beside the Long Water.


So did a Chiffchaff just down the path ...


... and a Wren on a nearby twig.


A Pied Wagtail hunted along the edge of the Lido restaurant terrace, shaded by the large planters that give the birds a secluded hunting ground.


A Wood Pigeon bathed in the pool at the top of the Dell waterfall.


A warm day brought out the male Little Owl near the Henry Moore statue, but this pair prefer to perch on the shaded side of the branch.


The nest hole formerly used by the Little Owls in the sweet chestnut beside the leaf yard is now occupied by a pair of Jackdaws.


I haven't seen or heard these owls for months, since they were persecuted by Magpies in a tree near the Queen's Temple.

The Grey Heron chicks now have well developed wings, and were exercising them in the nest.


The Coots nesting on the post at Peter Pan arranged a sweet wrapper in a tasteful position.


Against the odds, the last Egyptian gosling was still alive.


The dominant Mute Swans on the Long Water seem to have decided to nest in the reed bed near the Italian Garden. It's a dangerous place but they have no choice now that their island is gone.


The Black Swan on the Round Pond chewed the receipt for a hired bicycle.


Tinúviel sent a link to an Instagram clip of a Black Swan behaving as Black Swans will.


A Peacock butterfly sunned itself in the Rose Garden.

4 comments:

  1. The little Herons grow so fast: from punk-like little creatures to miniature adults.

    Perhaps the Black Swan has something against bikes, as its species has against swimmers.

    Thrushes are such gallant birds, stronger and braver than their size would allow.

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    1. I think Black Swans are against everything and everybody. It's part of their charm.

      A Mistle Thrush attacking a Magpie is a memorable sight. I've never managed to get a good picture or video of it.

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  2. Thanks for the Black Swan video Ralph- certainly made me chuckle!

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    1. I think the line of little floats had been put there because the swans were nesting and already had a reputation. So it was a silly prank, but the man certainly reaped the whirlwind.

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