The Great Crested Grebes' nest behind the basket at the island was empty when I passed, and there was a lone male in the water a few yards away.
So maybe it was this pair whose female was injured. However, there was another lone grebe at the east end of the Serpentine, as there was yesterday, so I'm by no means sure. Virginia will tell me if she hears any news of the progress of the injured grebe.
The chick near the bridge was offered a crayfish, but it was too large for the little bird to to swallow.
Never mind, it's getting plenty of small fish.
The first chick to hatch on the Long Water is now quite large and showing the first signs of a black crest.
A Little Grebe appeared in the distance on the Long Water, the first one I've seen here for months.
A Coot on the nest at Peter Pan was annoyed by a passing Cormorant.
The Mute Swan at the boathouse stretched out a wing over her one cygnet.
Canada and Greylag Geese cropped the grass on the south edge of the Serpentine. No one has yet explained why the Greylags have plenty of goslings this year, but the Canadas have only managed to raise one. It's not just a local occurrence, as the same thing has happened in St James's Park.
The Diana fountain is open to the public again for the first time since the Great Panic set in, though there is a ludicrous one-way system through this large open space. The Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-Backs that made the enclosure their home when it was closed seem determined to stay put.
A Grey Wagtail hunted along the edge of the Serpentine.
A Wren in the Flower Walk ticked angrily at a Magpie which wasn't particularly near. Maybe the Wren is nesting, which would make it much more defensive.
A Jay looked out from a copper beech tree.
Two Robins could be seen on the east side of the Long Water. I've seen them carrying insects, so there is probably a young one here too.
A Red Admiral butterfly perched on a nettle.
For some reason the big pink single roses in the Rose Garden send both Buff-Tailed Bumblebees and Honeybees into ecstasy. The bush has been flowering for several weeks but its appeal never wanes.
The Bumblebee happily rolling around in the pollen like Scrooge McDuck swimming in his money is a joy to see.
ReplyDeletePoor lonely Grebe. I do hope the injured Grebe will come back soon.
Glad to say that the injured grebe is well enough to be returned tomorrow Friday.
DeleteLovely to see a Little Grebe again. They can be quite unobtrusive if silent.
ReplyDeleteNo idea about the lack of Canada Goose young there, but I've seen many large families of them on the Thames at Richmond recently.
Nice to see the Red Admiral- quite a few around in the last couple of weeks or so.
I never know whether we have a single resident Little Grebe, silent because it's alone, or whether they fly in, spend a day or two here, and leave. More likely the latter, as you sometimes see Little Grebes paying brief visits to the Round Pond where they can't hide from view.
DeleteIs the red crested pochard still about?
ReplyDeleteYes, and two other drakes.
DeleteCracking shot of the red admiral :)
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteHello Ralph, have posted on London Bird Guides, common tern 10.30 am today post on Long Water. Also what looked like 2 bar-headed geese on Serpentine unless they were greylags moulting, can advise?
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, David
Best wishes, David
Thanks for the information.
DeleteThe Bar-Headed Geese are actually hybrids, three quarters Bar-Head and a quarter Greylag, and they come here from St St James's Park from time to time, in this case to moult on the Serpentine.
Thanks Ralph. I think I have seen them reported on the Serpentine in the past.
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