Coots are now building nests all around the lake. Here are two on the Long Water and two on the Serpentine. The one on the post is very much at risk from Herring Gulls, which perch on the post ready to snatch chicks as soon as they are hatched, but last year a pair of Coots managed to raise a brood here against the odds.
A Moorhen enjoyed a bit of tightrope walking.
Somehow the Egyptian Geese on the north side of the Serpentine have managed to keep four goslings for another day amid the mob of hungry Herring Gulls.
The two young Grey Herons looked over the edge of their nest. Soon they will get adventurous and start climbing around in the tree.
There are still a few Cormorants, though by now they must have fished the lake out to the point of diminishing returns.
And there are still plenty of Redwings on the Parade Ground, digging for worms ...
... and perching in the trees.
One of the Long-Tailed Tit pair near the bridge arrived with a bit of spider web for the nest.
A Wren bustled about in the Rose Garden ...
... and there were several Robins singing in the Flower Walk.
The Jackdaw pair at the leaf yard perched on a branch above their nest hole.
They will always fly down for a peanut.
The Fire Brigade often come to the Serpentine to teach new recruits how to use a hose. They let bystanders have a go, suitably braced to stop them from falling over backwards.
That looks like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteI know I've said this before, but I wish something was done to regulate gull proliferation. I know in some places they prick eggs, which is a non-lethal way to reduce numbers.
Herring Gulls are a declining species in their natural seaside habitats, and so protected by law. Unfortunately that means that if they start breeding like mad in cities there's nothing you can do.
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