Redwings getting closer

The Redwings on the Parade Ground are becoming less shy, and realise that people can't get over the fence. So they are gradually coming closer.

There are more than enough worms for all, and a pair of Magpies were busy digging.

The Blue Tits in the Rose Garden are extremely shy and flee if you even look at them. I don't think anyone has ever tried to hand feed the small birds here.

This Robin near the leaf yard is interested in me feeding the Great Tits and will probably come out in a while.

There was never any difficulty with the amazingly bold Coal Tit behind the Albert Memorial, which came to my hand the first time I saw it.

Starlings perched on the weathervane of the Lido restaurant, which gives them a commanding view of any tables they might be able to raid.

Others waited on the back of a chair.

Two Wood Pigeons picked buds off blossoming trees. Although they eat quite a lot, they don't completely strip the tree as the destructive Rose-Ringed Parakeets do.

A pair of Grey Herons in a treetop on the island gathered twigs to repair a nest. At the nest below them, another heron stood over his mate, who definitely seems to be sitting on eggs. A fifth heron took no notice of this and perched on a branch at the end of the island.

A heron stood on the submerged wall of the old water filter under the marble fountain at the edge of the Italian Garden. I don't think it had much prospect of finding a fish here, as the Cormorants have fished the place out very thoroughly.

At a different time there was a pair of Egyptian Geese here. They don't get directly sprayed by the water jets as long as they stay on the wall.

The Little Grebe in the Italian Garden, resting peacefully in the irises, was annoyed by a Moorhen poking around next to it. But it stood its ground, and the Moorhen flew away.

The male Mute Swan of the dominant pair was alone in one of the pools, and I couldn't see his mate. I hope they haven't had a disagreement.

The sunshine brought out a few Buff-Tailed Bumblebees on the mahonia bush in the Rose Garden. Malachi the gardener told me that they also like viburnum blossom, which is beginning to come out.