Friday 14 May 2021

The Green Woodpecker nesting near the Physical Energy statue was calling. It's quite easy to see, as the top of the plane tree is dead and leafless.

A Chaffinch carried insects to a nest in the Rose Garden.

The Long-Tailed Tits near the Henry Moore sculpture were also busy.

A Chiffchaff sang in a tree near the leaf yard.

A Robin looked down from a red-leaved tree.

The two young Grey Herons from the more recent nest are now climbing all over their tree. Their wings are fully developed but I don't think they're doing more than flap at present.

The older ones were also wandering around their nest tree. They can fly properly now.

A young Herring Gull dived looking for food. But it was in the territory of the pigeon-eating Lesser Black-Backed Gull pair, and the female sent it packing. This water is reserved for her to examine.

The Great Crested Grebe pair that nest at the east end of the island have begun work on their nest. You can see a few bits of weed draped over the edge of the basket at the far left of the picture.

The pair from the other end of the island are patrolling their territory but haven't started building.

The Coots on the wire basket near the bridge were building up their nest. Its success is doubtful, as it's in an exposed place next to posts that Herring Gulls like to perch on.

The little stream in the Dell is swarming with midges just above the surface. A Moorhen had a try at catching some.

The Mallard ducklings are better at catching midges than the Moorhen in the previous video, as they can scoot about rapidly.

A pair of Egyptian Geese drank from a small muddy puddle. They seem to prefer their water well flavoured with mud, and never drink from the lake if they have a choice.

The eight goslings rested in a row.

Tom was at Rainham Marshes and got two fine flight shots: a male Marsh Harrier ...

... and a Shorrt-Eared Owl.

2 comments:

  1. Coots will put architecture above the safety of their own offspring. That's true passion for your art.

    I wonder what harm the young gull would be doing Pigeon Killer's mate that she snapped at it so. She has plenty of water to inspect for herself.

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    Replies
    1. It's just a territorial thing. No other gulls are allowed in the pigeon eater's patch, which is about 75m square.

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