Friday 11 December 2020

The Goldeneye drake, which I missed yesterday, is still on the Serpentine. It definitely has more white on its sides than when it arrived, and the characteristic white patch is developing on its face.


Des McKenzie reported seeing the White-Fronted Goose on the Round Pond this morning. However, I couldn't find it either here or in the Diana fountain. Des also reported a Kingfisher on the Long Water both today and the day before yesterday, which I have yet to see.

A young Herring Gull was not just playing with a buoy and its rope, but was also apparently finding edible things encrusted on it.


Now that the disturbance on the island is over the two Grey Herons have returned to their nests. Obviously they are going to stick to the nests they know, but there's a good chance that other herons will be attracted to the wicker baskets put up for them.



A Carrion Crow poked around in muddy grass to find small worms.


A Jackdaw deftly opened the shell of a peanut and ate the contents.


Another chased me up the Vista demanding peanuts all the way.


A Magpie on a gatepost was also expecting a contribution.


It was quite a good day for seeing small birds. A Robin perched in a bush in the Rose Garden.


This Robin at the bridge comes to my hand to be fed ...


... as do most of the Great Tits ...


... but none of the Chaffinches has yet plucked up courage to fly down.


Three Coal Tits perched in a treetop to the west of the Rose Garden.


A Wren stared from a bramble beside the Long Water ...


... and another looked down from the footbridge at the Lido.


There was a Blackbird on the grassy bank at the back of the swimming area. I think I've photographed this bird twice recently.


Holes have appeared in the turf in the Diana fountain. Possibly rabbits are taking advantage of the absence of humans. But no rabbit has been seen for some time on the equally undisturbed ground around the Henry Moore sculpture. Perhaps they moved when this area was bare ground, before the grass seed was sown.

4 comments:

  1. Agree the Goldeneye seems to be showing more white in his plumage now. Hopefully he'll remain into the new year.

    Blackbird is looking smart. I've heard one singing down my road twice this week at dusk which is unusual at this time of year, though plenty of Song & Mistle Thrushes in song. Though Blackbird numbers are low, I counted 11 in my local country park this afternoon, but the interesting thing is that they were all males!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been seeing a few female Blackbirds here, but as usual a minority. But I haven't seen a single immature male, usually numerous among an influx of migrants.

      Delete
  2. Adding to the Blackbird census: an immature male today on a stretch of turf where there used to be many adult birds. Something is happening, and it is Europe-wide.

    Does the Goldeneye keep to itself? Perhaps it could attach itself to the Tufties.

    Love to see so many small birds. Give me small birds and owls and grebes, and all is well with the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Goldeneye does seem isolated. I thought it would join the numerous Tufted Ducks but it hasn't. Its habit of diving in the deepest water and staying submerged for a long time doesn't match their shallower and briefer dives.

      Delete