Wednesday 27 May 2020

The Coots nesting in the fountain pool in the Italian Garden have hatched three new chicks, and there are still two eggs on the nest. A parent went over the chicks to remove fleas. An older chick from a previous nest preened on the inactive fountain.


A Grey Heron lurked dangerously on the fountain.


The large Coot nest at the Dell restaurant now has four chicks.


A heron waded into deep water at the island. They can swim rather badly if they have to, but prefer not to get out of their depth.


One of the six Mute Swan cygnets reclined at the Lido.


The authorities have had a renewed attack of panic and have closed the Lido to the Serpentine Swimming Club again, so the swans will have a peaceful time. Not that the orderly swimmers of the club ever caused them any trouble.

The male swan of the pair nesting on the gravel bank in the Long Water, guarding the nest while his mate took a break, eyed a football mistrustfully.


A pair of Great Crested Grebes displayed near the Italian Garden.


The six Egyptian goslings at the Dell restaurant lolled on the grass, which is getting quite lush with no human feet trampling it down.


A young Grey Wagtail hunted insects at the bottom of the waterfall.


A Great Tit fed its chicks under the bushes. Usually this happens in the branches. There must be larvae on the ground here.


A singing Reed Warbler near the Italian Garden came into view for a few seconds. The reeds also contained a male Blackcap carrying an insect, evidently collecting food for nestlings.


The Mistle Thrushes at the north edge of Kensington Gardens have a new nest and are finding food for the chicks. They are careful not to reveal its whereabouts.


A Dunnock at the Lido was gathering nesting material. A bit late -- maybe they too lost their first nest and are staring again.


The 'Lamb's Ears' (Stachys lanata) in the Rose Garden are beginning to put out discreet purple flowers. Insects love them, and they attracted a Buff-Tailed Bumblebee ...


... and a Holly Blue butterfly.


Joan Chatterley found a brood of eleven Mandarin ducklings in Battersea Park, and managed to get ten of them into this pleasing photograph.

2 comments:

  1. The Mandarin female is so elegant and looks so gorgeous. They are perhaps the most beautiful of ducks.

    Interesting way to show parental affection: by eating fleas off your offspring. Love is eating each other's parasites, maybe.

    Look at the lovely, lovely little cygnet! How could anyone mistake a cygnet for an ugly duckling?

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    Replies
    1. I've always been mystified by the sheer lack of observation of Hans Christian Andersen.

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