Usually a flock of Redwings arrives in the park in January after the Winter Wasteland funfair has finished, to dig worms out of the ruined grass. But this winter, because of the Great Panic, there was no funfair and I couldn't find where the Redwings had gone. Then an anonymous reader tipped me off that they were on the archery field north of Kensington Palace. And there they were, chattering cheerfully in the trees at the edge of the park and feeding on the far side of the field.
Also on the archery field, a distant view of a Green Woodpecker bathing in a puddle left by the heavy overnight rain ...
... and a female Pied Wagtail hunting insects.
Long-Tailed Tits ...
... dashed around in a tree near the Dell.
A Wren chattered and bounced about in the bushes at the foot of Buck Hill.
Both the female ...
... and the male Peregrine were on the tower. Her front is noticeably lighter coloured than his.
A Grey Heron preened on the remains of the swan island in the Long Water.
A Herring Gull caught a tiny crayfish, the first I've seen for a while. The boom and bust cycle of the Turkish Crayfish in the lake is a complete mystery to me.
The Coots building their hopeless nest on the post at Peter Pan have made little progress.
The pair on the boat platform are still sporadically building their nest, which equally has no chance of success. A pair of Moorhens more practically searched the pile of twigs for insects they can eat.
Another Moorhen made itself comfortable in the reeds near the bridge.
The Black Swan was on the Round Pond. It raised one of its wings. You would think that the ruffled feathers would be a hindrance to flying, but they seem to go flat when it takes to the air.
An Egyptian Goose posed grandly on an urn in the Italian Garden.
The first crocuses are coming up beside the Long Water.
I’m delighted to hear the Redwings are around, I will look for them on Saturday
ReplyDeleteTake your wellies. This corner of the park is a swamp.
DeleteLovely to see and hear the Redwings! Have seen none all this winter.
ReplyDeleteThere is a legendary visigothic saint in Spain called St Virila. While taking a walk in the forest he became so entranced by a nightingale singing that 300 years passed without him realizing. I could spend 300 years just watching the small birds flitting around.
The area which hosts an archery club is called Perks Field. It is also the landing area for royal helicopters.
ReplyDeleteThank you. The park is full of half forgotten names. The royal helicopters are oppressively large and noisy machines, one maroon and one grey. It would be quieter and safer to take a taxi.
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