A Goldcrest ...
... and a Coal Tit both sang in a yew tree near the bridge, and occasionally came into view.
A Blue Tit on the sunny side of the path searched for insects in the dead tree.
A Redwing perched in the top of a rowan tree completely stripped of its fruit ...
... and flew down to pick up what was left on the ground.
The Little Owl on Buck Hill was slightly more visible. This picture was taken looking straight up, with the owl looking down.
Lower down the hill, two Grey Herons were having a pointless dispute.
A Pied Wagtail looked for insects in dead leaves at the boathouses ...
... and a Grey Wagtail searched among twigs.
This is a longer video than I usually put up, but I didn't want to cut any of the beautiful song of this Robin in the Rose Garden.
Neil sent a remarkable picture of a Feral Pigeon bathing in broken ice in the bird bath at the west end of the Flower Walk. They don't seem to feel the cold as long as they have enough food to burn to keep them warm.
The Black-Headed Gull that owns the landing stage was keeping its territory completely free of other birds.
A Great Crested Grebe went past in a hurry.
A pair of Moorhens trotted around the platform at Bluebird Boats.
The Mute Swans who nested near the Lido restaurant last year, with surprising success in an exposed place, revisited the site. It's far too early for nesting, of course, but they want to reserve their spot on a crowded lake.
A pair of Gadwalls fed on the Serpentine.
What wonderful treats! The clip of the Robin's sweet song and the one with the flitting Goldcrest make one's heart fill with joy. It's sad that Christmas is officially over, because the picture of the Goldcrest in the yew tree looks so festive.
ReplyDeleteThat's the female Owl? It looks completely at ease with your presence.
The owl had turned to look down at me looking up at her. I think she would have preferred me to go away, but is fairly calm about the intrusion now. She stayed in that position for quite a time while I had several goes at manually focusing a heavy camera held pointing straight up, a very uncomfortable position that you can only hold for a few seconds.
DeleteThe Goldcrest is quite the poser here. Always a pleasure to see the Grey Wagtail-I'm seeing a few locally at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThe Black-headed Gull is looking handsome in breeding garb. I've seen one in the local park with a pretty dark hood but not as complete as this one.
That gull is a real thug. It even attacks Herring Gulls that land on the platform. I'm thinking it's a male with an excess of testosterone (or whatever birds have) that has brought on both the premature breeding plumage and the aggressive behaviour.
DeleteInteresting to know the observations re this gull.
ReplyDeleteOnly if you can recognise a gull as an individual -- for example this one and Pigeon Eater -- can you begin to understand the complexity of their social life.
Delete