A Reed Bunting extracted seeds from the fluffy head of reed mace near the Lido.
A Blackbird sang quietly to itself near Peter Pan. They will be in full song soon.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker preened in the woodland at the foot of Buck Hill.
I thought all the Redwings had gone, but there was just one left in a bramble patch near the Italian Garden. It was not in the least shy, and posed calmly to have its picture taken.
A Blue Tit ate a pine nut in a blossoming cherry tree near the Albert Memorial.
The usual pair of Coal Tits came out to be fed in the Flower Walk ...
... and so did several Robins.
A Grey Heron on the island caught a frog.
This heron has an unusual reddish bill.
A Cormorant perched on a fallen tree in the Long Water, looking as elegant as a Cormorant can manage.
One of the Coots nesting on the post at Peter Pan brought an awkward curved stick and a very thick one, and the pair had to make them fit somehow.
Work on extending the reed bed on the Long Water has meant taking down part of the fence which is supposed to stop Mute Swans from tearing up the reeds, and a pair of swans had got in behind it.
Pulmonaria in the borders in the Rose Garden attracted a good variety of bees: a male Hairy-Footed Flower Bee ...
... the completely different looking female ...
... and a Buff-Tailed Bumblebee.
I think this bee in the cherry tree seen above is a Southern Cuckoo Bumblebee, but I didn't get a conclusive picture.
Thanks to Mark Williams for this picture of a male Brimstone butterfly. Judging by its torn wing it seems to have been fighting for territory.
Even butterflies go to war, it seems. I ought not to be shocked, but I kind of am.
ReplyDeleteAstounding video of the eager Coots doggedly dragging all manners or awkward sticks into submission. They truly are something else.
I love it when Blackbirds sing quietly to themselves. I like to think I can hear their thoughts.
I confess I gave the Coot both sticks to see what it would make of them. The curved one went into the nest easily enough after they had turned it round. but I don't think they managed to incorporate the thick one.
DeleteMaybe they will keep it in reserve. Doubtless they'll find some use for it sooner of later!
DeleteAnything that can be added to the nest is added. I have seen a nest with a dead Coot (not one of the pair building it) included in the foundations. But if it can't be attached, it's allowed to drift away.
DeleteWill savour what will probably be one of the final Redwing shots.
ReplyDeleteThe Heron with the reddish bill is in breeding garb. Herons often get this at breeding time but the colour soon disappears.
The bee labelled a Carder Bee looks more like a male Hairy-footed Flower Bee (on one of it's favourite garden plants) to me with as labelled the female below.
Thanks for the correction, and for the information about the red-billed heron. I've seen herons with a pinkish tinge before but never anything so garish.
DeleteStrictly speaking the Hairy-Footed Flower Bee is not a bumblebee.
ReplyDeleteHowever good read as always
Thanks. Now changed.
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