Wednesday 24 November 2021

A Wood Pigeon ate ivy berries at the back of the Lido. The ivy has only just finished flowering and the berries are undeveloped and hard, but Wood Pigeons seem to be able to eat practically anything, no matter how sour, bitter and tough.


One of the Grey Wagtails was on the edge of the drained pool in the Dell.


It flew out to the lake. This one prefers the east end of the Serpentine, the other the Long Water and the Italian Garden.


A male Pied Wagtail ...


... and his mate hunted on the lawn east of the Dell.


A Long-Tailed Tit perched in a tree beside the Long Water.


Neil found a Coal Tit next to the West Carriage Drive. I have several times heard one singing near the Rima relief not far away.


Ahmet Amerikali sent a picture of a Goldcrest in a yew tree near the bridge.


The familiar Robin looked out from a bush in the Rose Garden.


It was a dark and misty day. By 2.30 it was nearly impossible to take pictures, but I just managed one of a Jay in the Flower Walk waiting for its customary peanut.


A Grey Heron stared intently at the camera.


A young Herring Gull had a vigorous wash on the Serpentine.


The pigeon-eating Lesser Black-Backed Gull was in his usual place near the Dell restaurant. A man pointed him out to his small son, 'Look at the big duck.' The gull gave him a look of withering contempt ...


... and went off to soothe his ruffled feelings by chasing away some Herring Gulls.


It was the turn of a Common Gull to stand on the No Swimming sign.


Another picture from Ahmet, taken in yesterday's sunshine: a Cormorant caught a small carp in the Italian Garden and detached the weed from it before swallowing it.


One of the two Great Crested Grebe teenager preened on the Long Water. Both still seem to be coping with independent life.


There was a tidy little flock of Tufted Ducks at the island.

2 comments:

  1. I share in Pigeon Killer's withering contempt. To be called a big duck ought to be a hanging offence.

    What is the Long Tailed Tit looking at? A bird passing above?

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    1. Some bird must have been passing overhead, and the Long-Tailed Tit was just checking that it was harmless. You often see perched birds looking in all directions including upwards, and no wonder considering the raptors that are around.

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