A cold morning made the small birds particularly hungry and they thronged out to be fed. As usual it was mostly Great Tits, but a Blue Tit and a Coal Tit made an appearance. The local Robin is camera-shy and didn't feature.
Nor did the tatty Blue Tit, as she was farther up the path in the paperbush.
There were Redwings in the trees right next to the bicycle path through Kensington Gardens, taking no notice of the Saturday crowds.
A Blackbird peered nervously round a tree.
A Jay waited for a peanut at the back of the Albert Memorial.
The cold wind was too much for the Little Owl at the Round Pond and he stayed in his hole.
The young Grey Herons were climbing around in the nest on the island.
One of the other pair of herons looked out from the lower nest.
This is the first time I've managed to photograph the Little Grebe catching something, apparently an insect larva.
A Coot brought a twig to the nest under the bridge.
A pair of Moorhens looked for food and preened on the edge of the Serpentine.
A Grey Squirrel sharpened its teeth by chewing a piece of wood. Judging by the state of the wood it must have been chewing for some time. Squirrels' teeth grow continuously. They have harder enamel on the front than on the back, so they wear down to a chisel edge.
Ralph, do you know why the paths under the bridge on both sides of the lake were closed today?
ReplyDeleteSome bits of masonry fell off over the footpath. I think they were the patches to the cornice glued on it the last restoration a few years ago. People overestimate the strength of modern adhesives.
DeleteWow. That larva is larger than many fishes!
ReplyDeleteDoes the camera-shy Robin approach when you are not filming?
Tinúviel
The Robin generally comes out as soon as I enter the Flower Walk and proceeds to beat up all the other small birds. But point a camera at it and it's gone. Normal for Robins, I suppose.
DeleteNot so shy, then.
DeleteTinúviel
Interesting to see the Little Grebe with its lunch. Not quite sure what it is-maybe a caddisfly larva?
ReplyDeleteLovely Redwing shots!
That seems very likely. It did look like a tubular case in other pictures.
DeleteWhat accident did you have in January? Did it affect your arm? You seem to be doing great. I still enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeleteBike accident, broken vertebra. By the way, it's better to comment on the latest blog post. This one is ten days old and the only person who sees your question will be me.
Delete