The notorious Lesser Black-Backed Gull varied his diet of pigeons by catching a crayfish ...
... which he pecked open with practised skill.
But when a young Herring Gull caught a crayfish, it didn't seem to know how to deal with it. In the end the gull let it go.
A Black-Headed Gull had to be content with a leaf to play with.
The Goldeneye was in his usual place in the middle of the Serpentine.
The low sun caught the bright red eye of a Pochard.
A Gadwall cruised quietly by.
Blondie was in her favourite place on the edge of the Serpentine, alone. Maybe her flirtation with a possible new mate didn't work out.
The Grey Heron from the top nest on the island was trying out one of the baskets that have just being installed, but later went back to its own nest.
The other heron stayed put.
Starlings nest every year in the eaves of the shelter on Buck Hill. They are already assembling there to claim nest sites.
A Nuthatch can often be heard in the treetops near Queen's Gate, and today it allowed itself to be photographed.
The Chaffinch that I photographed yesterday near the bridge came out and called when I was feeding some Great Tits. It still hasn't dared to come to my hand. I can't put food on the ground for it because the place is awash with Feral Pigeons.
Long-Tailed Tits are often seen either side of the north end of the bridge.
Both the regular Jays were there waiting for a peanut ...
... and farther along the shore there was a challenging stare from a Jackdaw.
I wonder why he does move the unfortunate crayfish from place to place before pecking it open. Perhaps he is trying to dissuade the crow from pilfering it.
ReplyDeleteI am half disappointed that the young Herring Gull didn't start rolling the crayfish, given that it didn't know how to eat it. It must roll quite nicely.
Any gander that would reject Blondie is a silly goose.
There were several crows hanging around hopefully, and he was trying to keep them at a distance by walking towards them menacingly. He is at a disadvantage while pecking open a crayfish because he can't hold on to it with his feet like a crow can, and it's easy for a quick and bold crow to dart in and grab it -- as has happened before.
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