Nesting Song Thrushes

A Song Thrush near the Speke obelisk was fluttering its wings. It looked as if it was a female doing the 'feed me' appeal to a male to make sure that he would look after her when she started nesting, but I'm not certain.

Anyway, when I went past the same place later there was a thrush carrying a worm. There is certainly a pair nesting here, probably in one of the large bramble patches.

On a nearby branch a Blackcap gave the camera a challenging stare.

I didn't find the bossy Robin in the Flower Walk when  I went into the park, but as I left he turned up and graciously accepted half a dozen pine nuts.

A Grey Wagtail wandered along the edge of the Serpentine picking up insects and larvae.

This picture shows one of the insects, the size of a midge but I can't see any wings.

A Pied Wagtail trotted along in the opposite direction, but it flew off before they met.

This is what happens when you're trying to film something on the edge of the Serpentine, like a pair of Gadwalls feeding. There is a loud caw and a Carrion Crow barges in expecting to be given a peanut.

Jackdaws, on the other hand, are very polite. They sidle up to you and give you an appealing look with their pretty silver eyes.

The Grey Heron in the nest at the west end of the island was standing up again. I'm beginning to doubt that there are any eggs in the nest. But the heron is claiming it strongly, so I think there is at least some intention of breeding.

Nor have I heard any more from the chick in the middle nest that I heard clacking several days ago. It may have been predated. It's very hard to tell what's going on in this unpredictable colony.

A heron stole the Coots' nest at the Vista to use as a fishing platform. Its owner glared furiously but there was nothing to be done.

The nest at the bridge gets larger by the day.

The Mute Swan nesting at the outflow of the Serpentine plucked restlessly at tufts of grass, then got up and picked up twigs to add the the nest. She did have at least one egg but I haven't seen it for a couple of days, and wonder whether it has been stolen by a fox -- or even a human -- in this dangerously open place. She is behind railings, but foxes can slip between the bars.

The dominant female swan on the Long Water seems settled at last. She looked disapproving at a Coot, but a pair always nest on the edge of the little island no matter what the swans think.

Her mate, having made sure that she was sitting properly, cruised off the Peter Pan to tout for food.

Glad to say that there is now a barrier round the nest at the Lido restaurant to screen the swan from visitors.

I find the faces on pansies slightly worrying. It's like being stared at by a lot of kittens.