A Blackbird enjoyed a bath in the Huntress fountain in the Rose Garden.
The Redwings have now been on the Parade Ground for two months, ever since the funfair was dismantled. The normally very shy birds have become quite accustomed to people looking over the fence at them, and approach to within a few feet as they hunt for worms.
A Goldcrest sang in a variegated holly tree near Peter Pan.
There was also a Greenfinch singing wheezily in the top of a tall Lombardy poplar.
A Grey Wagtail trotted down the edge of the Serpentine ...
... and a Pied Wagtail looked for insects between the slates of a boathouse roof.
The Grey Heron chicks were milling around restlessly in the nest. The recent cold weather has kept them from exploring the tree, but it's milder now and they should start climbing around soon.
The heron on the steps at the bridge stays on the handrail despite people constantly going up and down past it. It has a sore right eye but can see out of it, as I discovered by waving at it when that side was turned towards me, so with luck it should heal.
The pigeon-eating Lesser Black-Backed Gull was on his favourite perch on the Dell restaurant roof, while his mate was on the shore hoping to grab a bit of bread. She does get her share of his pigeons.
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The Little Grebe in the Italian Garden has been here for three months, during which it has changed into its full chestnut breeding plumage -- but there is no sign of another Little Grebe to pair up with. I wonder whether it will get the urge to go and find one soon. Both St James's Park and Regent's Park might offer a mate.
One of the Coots nesting under the bridge resented the approach of a Cormorant.
The Black Swan on the Round Pond has dropped his young grey girlfriend and taken up with an adult female.
A pair of Mandarins appeared under the willow nest to the bridge.
This tall sturdy hellebore plant near the Vista is much bigger than the cultivated varieties elsewhere in the park. PlantNet thinks it's Stinking Hellebore, Helleborus foetidus.
I was surprised to find what seemed to be a Common Puffball here, but apparently they can come up at any time of year. Update: Mario doesn't think it's a fungus at all. It might be a bit of extremely weathered polystyrene foam. But I can't reach it over the railings to examine it. Further update: Mario has retrieved it. Definitely polystyrene.
The Buck Hill shelter saw further celebrations of the Holi festival.
Apologies if it is obvious to all - but is the Little Grebe male or female?
ReplyDeleteWho can say? Very likely the grebe doesn't know either. They are very vague about that.
DeleteThere are a few Little Grebes in St James’s Park at the moment, so your grebe might be successful there. I saw one yesterday diving close to a female Tufted Duck
ReplyDeleteFewer than there were, for some reason.
DeleteMight we have there another example of the Little Grebe / Tufted Duck or Gadwall interaction?
DeleteOur Little Grebes are in full breeding plumage as well. But there are many of them. It makes one feel sorry for the lonesome Grebe there.
Tinúviel
Sad to say, the Gadwalls have flown out to the main lake, leaving the Little Grebe with no more than occasional visits from Mallards and Tufted Ducks not interested in a mutually beneficial arrangement.
DeleteI am sure you have seen that there is a bird sanctuary in the course of construction at the east end of the Round Pond. A notice attached to the fencing specifically mentions it will afford protection to birds from dogs off the lead.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's what it is. I thought they were just having trouble with the two drains at that end. But whenever I have been there, there is no activity at all on the site and no one to ask -- typical of works in the park. Thanks for the information.
DeleteThere's something quite historic looking about those young Herons. Hope they flourish-no sign of any proper warmth yet, though at least it's milder currently.
ReplyDeleteNice wagtail shot- also enjoy the lichen/moss on the roof tiles behind the Pied Wagtail.
Concur with the Stinking Hellebore, which is a native but also frequently grown in gardens.
I think the young herons will not be unduly affected by the chilly weather as long as they get enough regurgitated fish to burn for heat. But they must be getting a very rough ride in their treetop nest in today's wind.
DeleteThose videos came out well, especially for such a dull day. The mandarin is lovely
ReplyDeleteThe bridge camera works well in bad light, as it goes to f2.4. The long lens, like most of its kind, is f6.3 at full zoom and struggles on a dark day.
DeleteThat "puffball" doesn't look fungal to me
ReplyDeleteWell, I couldn't reach it through the railings to poke it. I suppose it could be a bit of extremely weathered polystyrene foam.
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