The day started fine. The young Chiffchaffs were in their usual place, constantly calling.
But it soon began to rain. A Song Thrush didn't mind, as rain brings up worms. He sang happily on a branch beside the Long Water.
It looks as if a pair of Rose-Ringed Parakeets have stolen the Green Woodpecker's hole near the Physical Energy statue.
This Grey Heron arrived in the park as a very young bird, only just able to fly. It won't have adult plumage till next year. It usually stands on a post at the west end of the island.
There were three Lesser Black-Backed Gulls on the Long Water, after a long absence. One of them was washing.
The three Coot chicks were parked out of harm's way on a branch.
Neil took this picture of one of the Coots at the bridge feeding a chick with piece of cheese he had given it.
The Great Crested Grebe nesting on the fallen poplar in the Long Water looked anxiously at some people taking an unauthorised morning swim.
Another preened its fine breeding plumage on the Serpentine.
A pair of Mandarins preened on the shore. The male is still in his improbable breeding plumage, but will be going into eclipse soon and look much like his grey mate for the rest of the year.
A drake rested on a post at Peter Pan.
The Mute Swans are now moulting in earnest, and have assembled in their usual place below the Triangle car park.
As always at this time, they are in a foul mood.
Two families of Greylag Geese browsed the newly restored grass on the south side of the Serpentine.
Another brood sheltered under their mother's wings.
A Grey Squirrel ate a leaf in the Dell. I couldn't identify the tree, but think it is some kind of ornamental maple. Perhaps the sap tastes of maple syrup.
I wonder if Coots would eat chocolate. They appear to be up to giving a go to almost anything.
ReplyDeleteThe Grebe does look very alarmed. I suppose they don't know what humans are, and seeing one from so close must be unnerving.
I hope no one tries to give a Coot chocolate. This contains theobromine, a stimulant similar to caffeine, to which many creatures are sensitive. Dogs have been killed by feeding them chocolate. However, I have seen both Starlings and Carrion Crows eagerly eating the crumbs of chocolate cake served at the Lido restaurant. I'd think that here the chocolate was too diluted and the quantity too scanty to harm them.
DeleteI was only thinking you hadn't mentioned the infamous pigeon killer Lesser Black-backed Gull for some time. Is it still around?
ReplyDeleteLove the Mandarin on the post. As you say they will soon look really scruffy as they moult.
Agree with you the tree is a maple, Acer sp, but not sure which one. It does look rather chlorotic though!
The famous gull is sometimes seen in his usual place, but is having to hunt farther afield because the local pigeons are now wary of him.
DeleteI think that maple is a cultivar bred to look bleached.
You may be right about the maple but personally don't find it that aesthetically pleasing!
ReplyDeleteThey have been overbred to produce funny effects, like dogs. Or indeed, many natural things where human whimsy has set in.
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