Goldfinches are particularly fond of teasels, though it must be quite hard for them to extract the seeds from between the sharp spikes.
This patch of teasels is in the Rose Garden.
There was a also a Blue Tit in a bush. No one hand feeds the Blue Tits here, so they are uncommonly shy and flee when you get anywhere near them.
A Magpie perched on an ornamental shrub in one of the flower beds.
The usual Jay waited at the bridge to be fed.
A Carrion Crow had a thorough wash in the Serpentine.
Crows in the Dell jostled each other to get at some mealworms that a kind gardener had put down for them.
This Blackbird in the Dell is an immature male still with a black bill. A lot of immature males usually arrive as winter migrants, but there are very few in the park this winter.
Rose-Ringed Parakeets clustered on a cedar at the edge of the Rose Garden. After the original arrival of parakeets in Kensington Gardens it took several years for them to spread to the far end of Hyde Park, but now they are all over the place.
A pair of Grey Herons on the island built up their nest. Another heron in a nearby tree didn't like the look of that, and screeched hoarsely at them.
There were also two herons in a nest on the south side of the island.
The pigeon-eating Lesser Black-Backed Gull eyed a group of preening pigeons, hoping that a nearby one would close its eyes so he could grab it. He wasn't successful this time.
A Cormorant fished doggedly in the Long Water, though they really have more or less cleaned it out.
Shovellers are still finding plenty of food at the air bubbler.
The kingfisher was back on the Long Water again today. Saw it early afternoon, on the Peter Pan side, between the large reed bed and the Italian Gardens.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I looked for it there too twice, without success. I think it has several perches that can't be seen from either bank.
DeleteI suppose Goldfinches have been practicing for a million years, so I guess they have the technique down pat.
ReplyDeleteIs there any possibility that, with patience, the Blue Tit may be less shy and come to the hand?
Blue Tits will come to the hand after seeing Great Tits doing it -- Great Tits are much more relaxed and confident than their aggressive, fearful little blue cousins. But there aren't many Great Tits in the Rose Garden, since they prefer larger and denser shrubbery. So here, I think the answer is no.
DeleteAlways satisfying to see Goldfinches on natural foods. Though I grow Teasels & other suitable plants I'm most likely to see them on feeders in my garden. Probably just as well there isn't a health & safety commission for Goldfinches as it has been known for one to get blinded in one eye through the plant's sharp bracts, though suspect this injury is pretty rare!
ReplyDeleteLovely to see all the Shovelers. I did my monthly count in Richmond Park where there were 11 over the two Pen Ponds. Quite low numbers for here.
Goldfinches are tricky to photograph. When I first saw them they flew away as soon as I looked in their direction. A second visit was necessary to get pictures and video, both from a distance.
DeleteFantastic photos as ever, I love your blog. I bought my husband a book on bird photography for Christmas - they suggest stuffing seeds into teasel heads to get good shots....just passing on the info! Definitely going to try and find those starlings for some nuts
ReplyDeleteFor Starlings, try the terrace of the Lido restaurant. But there are rumours that too many people are congregating there and the Ministry of Misery will shut it down entirely.
DeleteThanks for the tip. Don't know that we need a Ministry for misery...the news is bad enough!
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