Saturday 27 November 2021

The stormy wind is still blowing, and chilly drizzle made it a horrible day. But the single Mistle Thrush on Buck Hill -- the autumn migrants still haven't reach the park -- was in a hawthorn tree.

The Blackbirds have eaten all the hawthorn berries, so it flew to the nearby rowan. I was making it nervous, so it wouldn't eat the fruit till I went away and left it in peace.

There was also a Blue Tit in the rowan, looking for insects among the berries.

A small flock of Long-Tailed Tits were chasing each other around an oak tree lower down the hill. One stayed still for just long enough for a quick shot.

Neil also found a Blue Tit ...

... and a Great Tit among the violent violet berries on a Beautyberry bush in the Flower Walk.

Another pleasing picture by Neil, of a female Chaffinch on one of the yew hedges in the walk.

The Grey Wagtail that lives on the Serpentine was on the island. It's exceptionally well camouflaged and I only saw it because it was calling.

Then it moved to the east end of the lake and ran along the edge of the surf looking for small edible creatures washed ashore.

There was a pair of Pied Wagtails at the edge of the Round Pond.

They were searching for food in the spray carried ashore by the waves, though they could hardly keep their footing in the wind.

A Magpie looked for food in a bin at the Diana fountain, found none because there were few people in the park, and relieved its disappointment by pecking at the plastic liner.

A Grey Heron at the island stoically endured the wind and rain on a post ...

... but the young one at the Vista took shelter behind the Henry Moore sculpture.

A pair of Herring Gulls moaned affectionately, waved leaves at each other, and went around together on the edge of the Serpentine. We've seen this pair before, always devoted to each other.

The Polish Black-Headed Gull T4UN, who crosses the stormy North Sea twice a year, wasn't bothered by the weather ...

... but a Mute Swan, tired of being bounced around on the waves, came ashore to rest.

2 comments:

  1. Well done for getting out there Ralph-it was a grim day. I did set out but turned back as the heaven's opened! Other than doing a little work in the garden I decided to have a rare stay at home day but plan to get to my patch this morning.

    Lovely shot of the Mistle Thrush-perhaps appropriately known as the Stormcock! The lighting is surprisingly good on the tits.

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    1. I had forgotten that the Mistle Thrush was called the Stormcock. Thanks for reminding me. It certainly was a vile day and I only made one circuit of the lake.

      Neil must have got a momentary break in the clouds for his pictures. I had no such luck.

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