Monday 22 June 2020

The Great Crested Grebes nesting on the east side of the Long Water have at least two chicks. This picture was taken at extreme range diagonally across the lake from the Vista. There's no way of getting a view from the other side, so we shall have to wait till they come nearer to get a good picture.


The grebes' nest at the west end of the island is still under construction in the usual haphazard way.


The dominant Mute Swans on the Long Water have lost one of their four cygnets.


It could just be seen dead on the nest, and may have died from natural causes.

There are two families of Egyptian Geese here, one with three teenagers ...


... and one with six small goslings left from an original nine.


Blondie has returned to the Serpentine, and was in her usual place near the Dell restaurant.


I'm still not sure whether that very blonde Egyptian in St James's Park was her or not, since I was only looking at photographs.

Update: Joan Chatterley reports that the blonde Egyptian is gone from St James's Park, so it probably was Blondie.

An Egyptian Goose on the Serpentine was attacked by a Coot while bathing.


The Coots' nest at the Lido is still in place. But Bluebird Boats reopens next week, which will endanger the exposed nest. I don't think one has ever succeeded here.


A Coot family at Peter Pan has four chicks. They are not from the nest on the post, of course. The nest was properly hidden under a bush.


Four young Pied Wagtails ran around on the edge of the Round Pond as the breeze made little waves break over the edge.


A young Blackcap perched on a twig near the bridge and squeaked discreetly to encourage its parents to find insects for it. They are much quieter than young tits, which make a terrible racket.


A Carrion Crow ate a tomato. Birds don't usually like salad vegetables, but the red colour makes this more attractive.


The carp in the little stream in the Dell, normally placid, went into a feeding frenzy when Paul threw some peanuts into the water. He says that they find Spam even more exciting.


Three Emperor dragonflies flew around the Italian Garden.


One settled on a reed stem.


The odd spiky blue flowers of the eryngiums behind the Lido are very attractive to bees. We already had a picture of a Honeybee on one. Here is a Buff-Tailed Bumblebee.

6 comments:

  1. There can never be enough pictures of Bumblebees. And let us all welcome Blondie back!

    I am absurdly happy to see the first stripey heads of the season. I hope they will be all right.

    The young Blackcap is so polite. Tits ought to take a page from its excellent manners.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was surprising to hear the young Blackcap being so gentle in its demands. I suppose it is fitting behaviour for a bird that will be so shy when it grows up. But I like the loud and frantic demands of young tits.

      Delete
  2. The park is looking like one giant creche now! Good to see some successful broods for many-some casualties are inevitable.

    Agree with Tinuviel about seeing the bee (+ other insects) photos. I do like Eryrngiums- great architectural plants loved as you say by bees. Good to see the majestic Emperors-plenty around here. Might be a week to look out for Red-veined Darters?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A few years ago I found a Red-Veined Darter near the bridge and I think some were seen at the Round Pond.

      Delete
  3. Super pics and videos of birds, bees and dragonflies... where are the butterflies..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Most of the visible butterflies are Meadow Browns. But see Friday's blog.

      Delete