One of the Long-Tailed Tits nesting near the Diana memorial fountain preened in a bush.
A Mistle Thrush brought a worm to the nest near the Round Pond.
The two Jackdaws nesting nearby now always come over for a peanut each.
It was a cold day but bright enough for a Magpie to sunbathe in the Rose Garden.
The chilly wind ruffled a Robin at the foot of Buck Hill.
Belinda Davie found a Whitethroat in the hawthorn above the bramble patch near the Italian Garden where the Long-Tailed Tits are nesting.
Two Green Woodpeckers appeared today, one photographed by Neil near the Albert Memorial ...
... and one by me in a hole in a plane tree between the Physical Energy statue and the Speke obelisk.
A pair of Goldcrests were darting around in a bush near the bridge.
I couldn't see what this Grey Heron was finding in the water, but a close-up[ photograph showed that it was Twiglets. People give the birds just about anything.
The Mute Swans nesting near the Lido were attacked by three small dogs -- nothing they couldn't deal with, but bigger dogs are a serious problem and there are many irresponsible owners who disobey the regulations and leave their dogs off the lead at the lake. Hugh the Wildlife Officer is going to put a barrier round the nest.
The swans nesting on the Serpentine island now have one egg.
So, unfortunately, do the pair nesting in a crazy place at the terrace of the Lido restaurant. They are most unlikely to succeed here.
The Black Swan and her new white mate gazed fondly at each other.
The eight Egyptian goslings near the boathouses have survived another day in a very exposed place ...
... but the Egyptians at the Henry Moore sculpture have lost one and are down to six.
The newer family on the Long Water with five crossed the lake in close formation, because there was a Lesser Black-Backed Gull circling overhead.
There was a very dark Common Pochard at the Vista, with a markedly two-tone back and eyes that were more orange than red. It may be a hybrid with another Aythya species, but I wouldn't like to guess what. We've had female Pochard x Tufted crosses here.
Update: yes, I think it is a male Pochard x Tufted cross. Here's a picture of one.
The Long-Tailed Tit's toilette is so enjoyable. It's almost mesmerizing. Gorgeous, methodical little bird.
ReplyDeleteThe Pochard's colouring is startling.
The day Swans begin iting dogs to death is the day the dog problem will come to an end.
I never tire of Long-Tailed Tits. Hope the readers don't.
DeleteDo I take it you were able to establish that the Green Woodpeckers were different, as both pics show a male?
ReplyDeleteAre the longstanding 'hopeless' pair of Egyptian Geese still in evidence?
Elsewhere a women's football match yesterday suffered an Egyptian Goose pitch invasion (video: UK only). Changing subject, I just caught up with the news that the ancient Egyptian goose fresco is now scientifically adjudged to depict an extinct species. Jim
The two Green Woodpeckers were 600 yards apart, so I'm assuming that they're different.
DeleteYes, the hopeless pair are still around. I saw them in the morning.
Thanks for the goose information. Is someone now going to do the same for the not-quite-Egyptian Goose in the painting of the hunter now in the British Museum?
A pretty early Whitethroat, Ralph. I noticed one or two had been recorded but few about yet. Have managed Swallow on each of the last two days.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised. There are only ever a few in the park. Des McKenzie found a Willow Warbler a couple of days ago. Am listening intently for songs.
DeleteI take it Ralph that you heard about the seal that was killed by a dog.
ReplyDeleteI would hope that the owner gets prosecuted so dog owners learn the lesson and keep them under control.
Sorry to say that she will not be prosecuted. She's a lawyer, and they stick together.
DeleteVery true.
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